The final action by New Cumberland City Council on the new Route 2 through the town was taken at Monday night’s Council meeting. Representatives from the Dept. of Highways were in attendance to answer any questions and to obtain a signed resolution setting in motion the legal steps necessary to being construction.
DOH officials explained that the area near the road and pump station on City Park property will not be replaced with a sidewalk by DOH as originally proposed. Instead DOH will pay $55,000.00 to the City so that the City can get the work completed. Officials explained that if the State does the work it must pay Davis-Bacon wage rate, while the City can get bids on the project and get the work done in a more cost efficient manner.
The passing of the resolution will now trigger the road project to go through the Board of Public works and then the bid specs for the project will be run two consecutive times in the newspaper. DOH officials indicated once the contract is let work should begin in early spring.
Council addressed the problem of unoccupied buildings. The DOH will put up STATE PROPERTY – NO TRESPASSINGS signs and board up entrances to try to prevent vandalism or entry.
Mayor Will White expressed Council’s excitement at getting the project finally underway. DOH officials stressed they will work closely with the City and after a pre-construction meeting the Mayor will have cell phone numbers of those in charge.
Resident Lee Watson appeared before Council to question whether the City had ever thought of annexing north to include where NUCOR is said to be locating its transloader facility. In the early nineties a “minor boundary change” bill was passed by Del. Tamara Pettit in anticipation of the hydroelectric locating just outside city limit. The bill allowed the City to annex up to the JDRIV Career Center. The hydroplant never materialized, but Watson said the City would miss out on revenue if NUCOR facility is not included. Pettit explained how the bill worked, needing the permission of only those located within the boundaries of the proposed annexation, but said she did not know if the code had been changed. City Attorney Kevin Pearl will research the issue.
In other business:
**City Clerk Tammy Jenkins reported work is progressing on the new city building. The interior walls are demolished and the scaffolding is erected to point the brick on the outside. The decision has been made to leave old beams in place in the area which will house the Council chambers. A February date is anticipated for construction.
**The final draw of $52,546.90 on the Sewer project was approved;
**Approval was given to payment of $45,024,56 in invoices;
**A resolution to open an interest bearing account for the Opioid Settlement was approved;
**George Hines gave a report on how the wreathes across America project had grown locally. In 2018 volunteers were able to place 105 wreathes on veterans’ graves. This year, 418 wreathes have been placed upon graves. Council voted to donate toward the project;
**Addressed the demolition of the property 107 South Chester Street and 600 Ridge Avenue;
**Mayor White complimented the Christmas decorations and said people were saying it had never looked better. The Christmas parade will take place Dec. 9th. The City float will include Mr. and Mrs. Santa along with Council. Children will be able to visit with Santa at the old city building where hot chocolate and cookies will be available.
