Warm weather brings residents to Hawley meeting

SUSAN WADE
Posted 4/19/17

HAWLEY, PA — The warm evening and promise of spring roused Hawley residents from their winter hibernation, and they came to dialogue with Borough Council members during the public presentations …

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Warm weather brings residents to Hawley meeting

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HAWLEY, PA — The warm evening and promise of spring roused Hawley residents from their winter hibernation, and they came to dialogue with Borough Council members during the public presentations portion of the monthly agenda.

First up was Pete Hooker from the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency. He came, apart from his official duties, to alert the council that sometime in the future the National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance will likely be necessary for the borough to get grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In addition to firefighters having such certification, he urged that preferably three council members should also be certified. This would cover the borough in three eight-hour shifts during the time of an emergency. Although the requirement does not currently pertain to municipalities, Hooker stated that it was a general feeling that that this will change in the future.

Heather Genzlinger spoke for an ad hoc committee that has formed to pursue the establishment of a dog park in an area within Riverside Park. She petitioned for an opportunity to present a plan that would include proposed rules, designs and fundraising plans at a later date to the council. She was asked whether fencing would be part of the proposal and was told that verbal approval had previously been given by the governing federal agency to the borough to allow for chain link fencing on the non-river side of the park. Genzlinger’s efforts were encouraged by the council.

Duane Austin commented on the condition of the streets, stating that, in her opinion, the most recent storm had decimated the roads, particularly Welwood and Falls avenues and Paupack Street. She reported that there were 25 potholes as one turns onto Paupack Street. The council agreed that many streets need attention and that streets and roads officer Rodger Smyth and crew had commenced pothole patrol and filling. Residents were urged to call the office if they detect potholes not being addressed.

The last public commenter was Mike Lazaro, who expressed concern about the lack of available parking around his business establishment on Bishop Avenue. He requested that as many as three additional parking meters be placed on Bishop to accommodate shoppers. The council stated that his request would be discussed with the police chief.

In other business, the council approved expenditures of $750 for grant writing fees for the Pike County Trail Committee and $2,000 for custom steel security doors for the bathroom at Hawley Park. It was noted that there have been significant in-kind donations received to improve the Borough’s parks.

The council also received with regret the resignation of Cpl. Earnest Hilling from the Hawley Police Department after 14 years of service. Hilling resigned for health reasons.

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