Building purchase gets OK

CHERAW — The town council moved ahead with its plan to purchase a cavernous vacant warehouse on Tuesday night, but only after the financing is put into place to make the sale a reality.

The action came after an 80 minute executive session held behind closed doors.

In the end, Councilman Billy Wallace Jr. cast the only no vote — twice.

Last month the council approved the first reading of an ordinance to purchase the large and vacant B.C. Moore’s warehouse building on Powe Street for $600,000. Wallace cast the lone no vote.

The purchase was expected to be finalized at the council’s regular meeting this week, when the second reading of the ordinance was scheduled to occur. The topic came up last week at the council’s work session, as council members examined several financing plans to manage the purchase and costly renovation of the old warehouse.

The council directed Town Administrator Mike Smith to invite the town’s bonding attorney to attend Tuesday night’s meeting and explain the three financing options available to the council.

Mayor Scott Hunter said that portion of the meeting was originally intended to be open to the public, but he and the council were advised by municipal league officials to talk financing details in an executive session.

Early in Tuesday’s regular meeting the council approved the second reading to allow the purchase, with Wallace voicing a loud “No!” vote.

Wallace tried unsuccessfully to have the matter tabled. He said during the recent heavy rains, the warehouse flooded due to leaks in the roof and it took two days to pump the water out. Wallace also said the council should look into the reported $4,000 monthly electric bill for the warehouse during the peak usage months each summer. No one seconded Wallace’s motion to table and it died for lack of support.

During the citizen comment period, Susan Wheeler of 506 Market St. — an opponent of the warehouse purchase — again voiced her concerns about the project, noting the large expense. Wheeler said the town has two existing bonds it should pay off first before making such a major purchase.

The town plans to clean and renovate the old warehouse to use as vehicle and equipment storage for the Public Works Department and Parks and Grounds. Also, there are plans to hold gymnastics classes inside the building. Hunter has said the estimated costs to fix up the large structure range from $150,000 to $250,000.

MCRPD: Monthly reports approved - LewistownSentinel.com | News ...

YEAGERTOWN - The Mifflin County Regional Police Board of Directors approved the June monthly activity report Thursday evening during its regular meeting.

The board also approved the June monthly financial report and minutes from the June 9 regular meeting.

In addition, the board accepted a report from Chief Scott Maurey who said the amount of incidents for the month of June were as expected. He said there has been about a 47 to 55 percent reduction in incidents from this time last year as a result of the departure of Lewistown Borough and Bratton Township at the conclusion of 2010.

The board also agreed to a motion to enter into a contract with Toshiba for a 63-month lease for the use of a new copier.

In other business, the board was presented information regarding declining rates in liability insurance for vehicles and personnel as a result of the reduction in staff at the start of the year.

Kish Insurance agent Lynn Thompson detailed the rates MCRPD would incur from its insurance agency PIRMA as a result of reducing the staff from 21 to 14.

The board regularly meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the police barracks at 13225 Ferguson Valley Road in Yeagertown.

Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Astronomical Union, September 30-October 5, 1984, Kyoto, Japan

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