SHAMOKIN — The City Council on Monday discussed plans to pursue two commercial reclamation projects under a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which possibly could bring in $2 million in grant money.
Under intense scrutiny by Councilwoman Betsey Richardson, Housing Authority Director Ron Miller explained the two projects.
The first would involve the acquisition and demolition of the vacant Schroyer mill site, between Shamokin and Rock streets. The end use of the site primarily would be for new home construction, targeted for people with disabilities and giving preference to veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Miller said the second project would be the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Center City Apartment Building in downtown Shamokin.
City Clerk Dave Kinder said the project also would include green and energy-efficient utility system renovations. Management of the property would be done by the Shamokin Housing Authority to ensure the economic stability of the project. If the project comes to fruition as planned, the building would be administered by the city, in cooperation with the Housing Authority. Under this scenario, the city could receive up to $100,000 for managing the building.
There will be a public meeting on the city’s plan for the two buildings at 5 p.m. Monday in City Hall. Following the meeting, the council will vote on whether to submit the grant applications.
Arguing strongly for the plan was Councilman C. Craig Rhoades, who said, “We need to bring up the housing standards in the city, to bring people in.”
“We have enough housing to accommodate those who want to live here,” Richardson said. “What’s missing in Shamokin is some kind of employment. That’s what will get people to move into the city.”
The meeting began with Richard Gelinski, representing Citizens for a Better Community, making a $500 donation to the city’s Christmas Light Fund.
In other business, the council unanimously approved the renewal of the unwanted weed and vegetation agreement with Ehrlich Pest Control.
The council also unanimously appointed Kinder as open records officer.
“It’s a lot of work, I realize,” he said, “but considering the financial situation the city finds itself in, I’m agreeing to take on the additional responsibility.”
The council voted 3-2 to approve a motion to grant two part-time workers, Lisa White and Bob Searls, five days of paid leave a year. Previously, as part-time employees, they had no benefits. Voting against the motion were Richardson and Councilman George S. Rozinskie Jr.
Richardson wondered what kind of message it was sending when the city on the one hand recently laid off employees and on the other, now grants paid leave benefits to two others.
This was the first meeting for Richardson. Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage signed an order Jan. 8 appointing Richardson to the seat on the council. It was left vacant by the resignation of Garth Hall. Sacavage made the appointment when the council was unable to agree upon a replacement.
Three candidates were considered for the position, but Sacavage said he chose Richardson because Hall was a Republican, “and I decided that it would be appropriate to replace him with a member of the same party.”
Richardson is a former member of the City Council, serving for 16 years. She also has served on the Shamokin Housing Authority and on the Shamokin school board.
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Two reclamation projects proposed for Shamokin
$2M in grant money possible
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