PMVB grant going toward directional signs, park pillar repair in Hawley

Directional signs are coming to downtown Hawley.

At the borough council's Sept. 13 meeting, Councilor Elaine Herzog, on behalf of Downtown Hawley Partnership (DHP), reported that the organization obtained a $10,000 grant from Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. DHP and the borough shared in paying a 50% match, and must split the grant funds 50/50.

DHP plans to post generic directional signs, pointing people to services like shopping, dining or Bingham Park. The signs, about a foot long, would be attached to the planters on Main Avenue corners, Herzog said. The sign project will come out of the DHP portion of the funds. She said they are “very un-intrusive.”

They have one quote from a sign company so far. The council approved the sign project.

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Part of the funds would also be made available to repair the historic 1930s cobblestone and mortar pillars at the entrance to Bingham Park. They were both damaged in motor vehicle crashes.

Attempts to locate a mason to do the work were met with difficulty. Public Works Director Scott Mead was asked to get an updated estimate from a mason he had found. A quote from a second masonry contractor is needed.

“We have an opportunity to get it done at a substantial savings if not completely covered,” Herzog said, “and the clock is ticking.” The grant must be used by the end of 2023.

The pillars were to be funded from the borough portion. She said that when final costs are known, they will have a better idea about prorated shares. There is also a potential effort underway to do fundraising for the pillars.

Street paving

The mayor related requests from residents to ask about re-paving the small portion of Church Street between the bridge and Hudson Street, and the lower end of Keystone Street near the Ritz Playhouse.

Councilor Ann Monaghan and Council President Michele Rojas explained the difficulty of meeting the income levels the Community Development Block Grant Program requires, as the process involves getting cooperation from residents in answering the survey. Mayor John Nichols commented that the requirement to have at least 51% of low-to-middle incomes to make a street eligible is "crazy" since the public at large uses those streets.

Rojas said that the borough needs to prioritize which streets are addressed; about one street is done annually. They also found another grant source that does not go by income levels.

In other business

Approval was given for hiring of two Hawley police officers, Zach Mead and Christian Robinson. Police Chief Daniel Drake said he is researching prices for radios and tasers paid by a donation from Palmyra Township.

The council discussed at length various models and providers of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. One will be purchased to be carried by the police department and another mounted at Borough Hall.

The Halloween Parade is set for Oct. 31 at 5:30 p.m. with a lineup at 5 p.m. near Hotel Belvidere. The parade heads up Main Avenue to Bingham Park where there will be costume judging. Wallenpaupack students will be packing candy treat bags to be given out. Recommended trick-or-treating hours were set from 4 to 8 p.m.

Hawley council meets on the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 94 Main Ave.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Hawley adding signs, repairing Bingham Park pillars with PMVB grant