Complaints Stop Ordinance From Changing Major Traffic Patterns, Parking

At the February Hollidaysburg Borough Council meeting, the primary topic of interest was an ordinance the borough was looking to pass that would change some major traffic patterns and general parking regulation.

Ordinance discussion

One of the major changes – establishing Wall Street as a one-way street from Newry Street to Goods Lane – was met with opposition from businesses and the public.

Both David Krentzman of Joe Krentzman & Son Inc. and Sean McClanahan said changing Wall Street to a one-way street would cause truck traffic in residential neighborhoods. Krentzman said that moving company trucks around very tight 90-degree corners would be extremely difficult. He said it would be very hard to get trucks out of their yard, which occurs regularly, and they would be routed directly down through the Presbyterian Home.

The proposal to prohibit parking at all times on the south side of Allegheny Street between Union and Jones streets was also met with opposition.

George Foster, a resident of Allegheny Street, said shutting down a side of the street was not a good idea. He said a snow removal plan would be a better idea. Regis Nale of the Hollidaysburg Community Watchdog said in the public comment period that he opposed a ban on parking on the south side of Allegheny Street saying it was a snow problem. He also said that parking on the south side was needed for church attendance on Sunday, as there are several churches in the area. Following these objections, the borough council removed the one -way direction on Wall Street and prohibiting parking on Allegheny Street between Union and Jones Street from Ordinance No. 903 before going any further.

Fire department investigation

During the public comment period, Richard Latker, frequent speaker for the Hollidaysburg Community Watchdog, announced the group had filed criminal complaint with the Public Corruption Unit of the Attorney General office against members of the Hollidaysburg Borough Council, individual borough staff, and certain Phoenix Fire Department members.

The complaint by Latker stemmed from the Nov. 23 meeting, when Councilmember Jim Mielnik, Borough Manager Jim Gehret, CPA Terri Johnson, and members of Phoenix Fire Co. met to examine the state of the fire company’s books. Latker later claimed that during the Dec. 9 borough council meeting that Mielnik intentionally misrepresented the contents of documents and the report from the CPA in order to get the release of funds for the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Co. for the rest of 2021 in order to make payments on their engine.

President Joe Pompa was the only member to oppose the release of funds.

Latker wants immediate investigation into the Phoenix Fire Dept. The Fire Marshal was not present at the meeting and filed no report for the meeting.

Other business

Community Relations and Events Coordinator Melanie Ramsey said the borough will do a Family Movie at Canal Basin Park with Blair County Drug and Alcohol Agency. The agency would like to do more Partners in the Art to support the Concert Series. The agency’s Light It Up Green campaign, taking place in the month of May, encourages local businesses to use green lights or other green items to bring awareness to mental health. The committee has identified an opportunity to highlight the campaign on Allegheny Street by placing ribbons on parking meters during May. The motion was passed unanimously.

Mayor Joe Dodson, who was not present, wants to place a meeting on next month’s agenda to extend the current contract of Jim Gehret as borough manager. Dodson said he felt Gehret had done an excellent job. He also gave kudos to the borough police force for doing an outstanding job while operating with a short staff.

The resignation of Ethan Imhoff from the Hollidaysburg Planning Commission was accepted. This resignation leaves the planning commission with two members on a five member commission. The appointment of John P. Stultz to the Planning Commission to fill the seat of Imhoff was unanimously accepted. This term will expire on Dec. 31, 2022.