The Business Meeting of the Nazareth Borough Council began at 7:00 p.m. and following the call to order, Pledge, and roll call, Mayor Keller delivered his seventh "State of the Borough" message.
In it he recalled his challenge for residents to be less critical and more engaged and indicated the people had listened. He noted the accomplishments of 2007 including new police building, skate park, mass alert system, new chief of police, and a balanced budget for 2008. He noted the top issues of 2008 will be the downtown development and community policing programs.
Following his address the floor was open for public comment.
A request was made that any 'left-over' money (the borough was slightly in the black in 2007) should be put toward two items that had been cut out - a sound system for council chambers and upgrades to council chamber building.
The next issue resulted in a good, but lengthy conversation about the dog park. The initial quest was where does the money come from and why is it going to the dogs instead of children. It was noted it is a lot of money ($30,000) for dogs.
Councilman Herbst explained money is from development fees that must go toward recreation and be used within three years. The money cannot go toward maintenance. The dog park project came from recreation committee. Details have not been worked out yet, but it is anticipated that the land, owned by Essroc, would be a lease arrangement.
Councilman Maurek questioned the cost, future maintenance, and other aspects may not have considered and wondered if money couldn't be spent better on equipment at existing parks.
A question arose regarding non-residents using the park, to which Herbst replied having such a policy would require enforcement and how could you enforce it? In response to liability Herbst indicated the owners are responsible for their dog's actions.
More comments followed related to other possible uses including equipment at other parks, the pool, merry go rounds (and the challenges of finding one at a reasonable cost because of liability few continue to be made).
It was noted that $17,000 must be spent in 2008 and the $30,000 for the dog park was for fencing. The dog park is being considered on the Essroc property south of Kiwanis Park off Franklin Street in the south east part of Nazareth.
Moving across Franklin Street, I asked if Kiwanis Park was Borough owned and what can be done to make it safer for people to walk to the Park? I noted that along Franklin from Prospect there are new sidewalks on the East side of the street (there are none on the west), but they stop right on the bend of Franklin and you must walk in the street from that point to New Street. Given the use of Franklin as a by-pass by drivers, it is not very safe.
I was told this property was also leased from Essroc and Mayor Keller noted that there were plans for sidewalks but they had been taken out. Ray Orwig, who owns the new townhouses and was required to put the sidewalks in on Franklin, noted that as he recalled they were taken out after he got approval and was then required to pay for them himself. He also thought a grant had been obtained for the borough to put them in and questioned what happened to the money. While there was no answer, the Mayor noted that a fence at the east side (bottom of the hill) should be considered at Kiwanis Park to keep children from running out onto the road.
Council President Chiavaroli asked that Public Property consider all these issues and come back with recommendations.
2 comments:
Spending on a dog park instead of children?
Are you kidding me?
I seem to remember not long ago when the decision was made to spend money on a skate park for the area CHILDREN, there was a major uproar and fight against it.
Or, is the argument, only spend it on certain children?
As for leasing property from Essroc, they, being good citizens and in light of the eyesore building that still stands on 248, should donate the land, not charge for its use. It's not like they are using it for anything else.
Dog parks are a great idea. Dogs get to run somewhat free, dog lovers have a place to meet and socialize, and let's face it, it keeps the dogs by-products off our streets.
If people are going to pick a battle, at least be consistant with it. Don't argue against spending on kids one year then the next argue against a different project because you aren't spending on the kids.
Actually, a dog park is a great benefit to both kids and dogs. My grandson has a small dog. We began taking her to the dog park in Bethlehem as soon as she had her shots so she could learn to socialize.
Why? Dogs who learn to socialize are far less agressive with other dogs or with people. For dogs, socialization skills are learned early, so it's a good idea to take a dog to the park when it is still a pup so long as it has its shots.
Bethlehem actually has two dog parks - one for smaller dogs (under 50 lb.) and one for the larger dogs. That's a good idea, too. Large dogs, when chasing a smaller one, can lapse into something called "predatorty drift." They can momentarily imagine the small dog as a rabbit or squirrel.
I have been visiting Bethlehem's dog park, off and on, for over a year now. Most of the dogs I know are accompanied by the children in the family. Those kids love the dog park as much as they might love a playground.
Mind you, I was very skeptical about this notion. It sounded ridiculous to me until I saw it in practice.
You have to stay there with the dog. You don't go and drop it off and pick it up later. That's irresponsible.
I bumped into Mayor Callahan this Fall at Bethlehem's dog park. He knows my grandson's dog better than he knows me. I told him of Nazareth's plans, and he said they are working on a skate park. He said, "We beat you on the dog park, but you beat us on the skate park."
Although Bethlhem's dog park is technically for Bethlehem residents only, nobody checks. The mayor didn't seem to mind, but said that a park in Nazareth would relieve some of the pressure in Bethlehem.
I'd be happy to volunteer some time at this park and will let Jack know.
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