SHAMOKIN - The City of Shamokin has been approved for a $2.8 million federal loan to restore the American Legion building in the downtown district.
City Clerk Steve Bartos announced at Wednesday's city council workshop that the $2,827,900 U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Facility Loan was approved Monday. Coupled with the city's contribution of $200,000, a total of $3,027,900 has been obligated toward the Legion restoration project.
Council members agreed with Bartos' recommendation to review the numerous requirements of the loan
package before taking action at August's meeting.
Bartos said entities that utilize the American Legion building, including the Shamokin-Coal Township Public Library, Shamokin Youth Basketball League, American Legion, Anthracite Heritage Museum and Anthracite Railroad Club have agreed to conduct a capital fund-raising campaign to help offset restoration costs.
"It's a huge building with a lot of potential," commented Councilman R. Craig Rhoades. "We would like to restore the building back to its condition when it was built in 1922 and utilize as much of it as possible."
Rhoades commended Bartos and other city staff for their hard work in getting the loan approved for the project, which was initiated in November 2011.
City officials also are looking to secure a tenant for the basement of the building, which has been vacant since the senior action center relocated to the west end of the community a few years ago.
In other business, Henry Linton, finance officer for the local American Legion, requested permission to move a VFW monument from the 200 block of East Independence Street near the Shamokin Post Office to an area on East Lincoln Street where other war and veterans memorials are erected.
Linton said the VFW monument has been vandalized over the years and is not located in an ideal spot. He said veterans groups in the area have agreed to pay for site preparation work if the monument is moved.
Council members agreed to review Linton's request and add it to Monday's meeting agenda.
Council also will consider a request Monday night from Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities Executive Director Jeanne Shaffer to install a "miner" sign recently displayed at the annual arts festival in a lot along Route 61 at the eastern entrance to the city.
Solicitor H. Robert Mattis said the installation of the sign also must be approved by PennDOT since it would be located along a state highway.
During a special meeting prior to the work session, Mayor George Rozinskie, Rhoades and Councilmen Michael Snyder, William Strausser and William Milbrand approved a resolution to borrow $110,000 from Susquehanna Bank to cover costs for the demolition of three properties in the 700 block of North Shamokin Street.
Bartos said the demolition costs totaled $110,000. He said the city paid out $52,000 through its general fund to PPL, Madonna Enterprises Inc., Forester Environmental and Lycoming County Landfill for work associated with the demolition project, but still owes the four companies a total of $58,000.
The city clerk said the loan will be closed out next week.
Bruce Rogers was hired as a part-time assistant code enforcement officer at $10 per hour without benefits. Rogers, who has been an active firefighter and chief for many years, will work between 20 and 30 hours per week.
Council unanimously approved a 50-cent per hour raise for Lawton Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool employees Paula Gilger and Peggy Ferrari. The raises are retroactive to the beginning of the pool season.