Lewisburg Borough Council Draft Agenda Covers Trails, Grants, and Streetscape Projects

A $2.5 million makeover of Hufnagle Park headlined the Lewisburg Borough Council's March 17 draft agenda, which packed in more than a dozen motions spanning federal grant applications, trail infrastructure, river access planning, and municipal equipment purchases.

The single largest dollar item on the agenda was a motion directing Union County to submit, on behalf of Lewisburg Borough, a $2,685,000 application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for FFY 2022 Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Competitive funding. Of that total, $2,500,000 would fund an Outdoor Social Gathering Event Venue Project at Hufnagle Park, with $50,000 earmarked for Lewisburg Borough administration and $135,000 for SEDA-COG administration costs.

The agenda also pointed toward expanded public access along the Susquehanna River. Council was set to consider a proposal from engineering firm HRG in an amount not to exceed $9,200.00 for conceptual design plans for a Susquehanna River Access Area at Lewisburg Landing, a project that connects to broader trail and parks investment in the downtown corridor. The draft agenda also referenced a DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program planning grant, a TASA Market Street design change order, and a Buffalo Valley Rail Trail/Route 15 crossing agreement, though detailed motion language for those three items was not included in the posted draft.

Two equipment purchases appeared under the Administrative and Public Safety Committee: a set of new digital radios for Borough vehicles from Keystone Communications at $14,608.60, to be procured through a COSTARS contract and paid from the General Fund, and an 82 Volt 60" Commercial Ride-On Zero Turn Mower at $17,100.00, drawn from the Equipment Depreciation Fund.

The committee agenda also included a motion to approve an Easement Agreement with William Cameron Engine Company, allowing the Borough to install its Emergency Siren and Notification System on WCEC property, contingent upon the Borough Solicitor approving final contract language.

Council was also set to take up subdivision waivers for the Derrstown Village Project Phase II, with developer Walnut Buildings, LLC requesting relief from three sections of the Borough's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The waivers addressed monument-setting timing before final plan approval, alley access restrictions, and a tree-caliper requirement, though the full text of the third waiver was truncated in the posted draft.

Additional committee business included a Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department monthly report, a motion to approve payment of $540,941.74 in bills covering the period from May 14 through June 17, 2022, and a street closure request to shut St. Anthony Street from North Water Street to the bridge for the 2022 Fall River Road Holiday event, with an accompanying letter to PennDOT. Council was also scheduled to discuss the vacancy in the Ward IV Borough Council seat.