(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Though the meeting of the Beaver Falls City Council on August 23 was shorter than usual, it was not without a few major acknowledgements.

Paula Durish, who has served as city clerk for 45 years, was recognized by Mayor Kenya Johns and the rest of the council for her longstanding dedication to the city of Beaver Falls with an honorary plaque and a bouquet of flowers at the end of Tuesday’s meeting.

City Manager Charles Jones expressed his gratitude for Durish’s service: “Every one of us can attest that this city cannot operate the way it does without Paula,” he stated, “so we want to recognize you and thank you for your many years of service.” Durish was overwhelmingly joyed at the recognition of her peers: “For the first time in my life, I’m speechless!”

Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, Community Development director Rochelle Burks spoke about the DCD’s plan to create a community newsletter for the city. The newsletter would feature columns from the local essential services–such as the fire department and the police department–and, to Burks’ hopes, columns from the city council. The council showcased their approval for the plan, which Burks feels may start as a quarterly publication.

General fund city expenditures and transactions were approved by council at an amount $500,194.78. Also approved were the pension calculations for retired police chief Tom Lococo and two other officers, and the purchase of a 43rd Street property by Gino Harris–albeit with an ultimatum from fire chief Mark Stowe that the property be restored within nine months.

The next Beaver Falls City Council meeting is on September 13 at 7:00 PM.