Greenfield Township Plans Improvements to Claysburg Park

Greenfield Township Supervisors approved upgrades to the Claysburg Area Community Park at their Feb. 4 meeting. The improvements are aimed at increasing accessibility for park users.

Contracts were awarded to BCS Construction, Altoona, for the work, which will include restroom upgrades, gazebo ramp construction, parking stall construction and accessible pathways that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The endeavor will also include drainage and regrading, painting and new ADA signage.

The project will provide a “complete facelift to the community park,” Jordan Oldham, vice chairman, said.

The township divided the project into three separate bids to meet funding source requirements. BCS Construction was the lone bidder for two of three portions of the project and the responsive low bidder for the third portion.

In total, the construction is expected to cost $139,798. Funding for the project is primarily being provided by a PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant and Community Development Block Grant money.

Township officials hope the construction will be completed before Memorial Day.

Also at the meeting, improvements to the police department office, including flooring replacement, was approved at a cost of $3,188. Additionally, painting and other enhancements will be made to the space.

Supervisors moved to purchase a 36-month extended warranty on the township’s backhoe at a cost of $3,000.

A representative from the Association for Training & Development was on hand to describe the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), “a jobs training program for unemployed, low-income older adults.”

Individuals who are aged 55 or older, have an income less than 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and are currently unemployed qualify for the program, according to program documentation.

Participants are paired with a non-profit or public facility and train in a field such as “home health aide, food service, customer service and retail sales.” They “train 20 hours per week while earning minimum wage.” The program is supported with funding from the PA Department of Labor.

In Blair County approximately 30 people are enrolled in the program. SCSEP is looking for additional partner organizations.

Joseph Claar was reappointed to the board of supervisors at a special vacancy board meeting held on Jan. 22. His term will expire on Jan. 2, 2022.