SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The borough has been awarded a $24,000 Heritage Trail Town Grant for directional "way-finding" signs in the community.
Carl Berger, the borough's economic development director, wrote the grant request earlier this year. As required, the council in May voted to provide up to $2,400 as part of the grant submission.
Berger told council members about the grant award at their regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday evening.
After the meeting, Berger said he received email saying the grant was awarded. The contract could be done in the next 30 days, he said.
About 10 signs - each 36-by-52 inches - could be installed by borough workers throughout Schuylkill Haven showing points of interest such as The Island and Bubeck Park. Signs could be up by this time next year or earlier, Berger said.
In other news, the Island Committee was presented a check for $1,000 by Michelle Lewandowski, loan officer/branch manager of Riverview Bank. She said the Island is important to the community and being a "good corporate neighbor" Riverview wanted to contribute.
B.J. Evans, president of the Island Committee, said that to date more $300,000 has been received through various means for the Island, located off Fritz Reed Avenue in the borough. He did not immediately know what the $1,000 would be allocated for.
"We've been blessed. We're very lucky," he said about all the support for the effort.
The council voted to hire two full-time workers for the waste water treatment plant because two people from the department went to another department, borough Manager Scott Graver said. Council voted to hire Jesse Killian and Kyle Morgan. They will start July 30. A pay rate was not provided.
Council member Jerry Bowman said the monthly farm market will be held in the borough hall parking lot today form 3 to 6 p.m. Member David Gerber said the Schuylkill Choral Society will perform at the recreation center July 29. For more information or tickets contact the Schuylkill Haven Library, who will benefit from the event, at 570-385-0542.
A Paws, Claws, Dine and waddle event for dog lover will take place July 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the borough, said council member Tom Gordon. Vendors and others will be there. Owners are encouraged to bring their dogs.