(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
At a time of year when many schools, clubs, and other groups are very busy, the April 5 work session proved that the Beaver County Commissioners were no exception to the rule.
The meeting started with Public Works director Dan Colville notifying the Commissioners that there is an issue with power at Brady’s Run Lodge, and that the current status for its restoration remains up in the air. The Lodge is the main site for the upcoming Maple Syrup Festival on April 22 and 23, and there are traffic restrictions in the area with the power lines down.
“There’s actually a wire down,” Colville stated, “the main road is closed down going through the park.” Colville added that the delay to response for the Lodge is due to the priority of returning power to all residences in Beaver County following this past weekend’s storms.
Solicitor Garen Fedeles informed the Commissioners that Governor Josh Shapiro has mandated that Norfolk Southern set up a $1 million fund to help assist those dealing with the fallout from the East Palestine train derailment for Pennsylvania residents. “We’re still in the process of trying to get clarification from the governor’s office on what [are the] parameters, or how that money should be spent,” Fedeles said, adding that it’s still unclear how much money Norfolk Southern will pay.
The Commissioners addressed the request for an inspection for the public garage next to the Beaver County Courthouse, and if a full renovation and repair of the facility is needed. Dan Colville pointed to recent discoveries of water damage and “chunks of concrete falling from the ceiling” as to major concerns for the garage, and the Commissioners decided that the next phase would be to hire a professional engineer to give a full inspection. The repairs to the garage could come at a price surpassing $1 million.
Following the Commissioners’ remarks, they were given a presentation from the non-profit Inspired Hearts & Hands, presented by founder/executive director Mindy Schnitgen along with Sue Vogel. The organization headquartered in Gibsonia is looking to bring its programs for helping and assisting children to Beaver County, having started some of its programs in the Freedom School District as a “lily pad”.
The meeting concluded with praise for District Attorney David Lozier following the evacuation of Hopewell High School one week prior while all parties involved dealt with the possibility of an active shooter on campus–a possibility that turned out to be a hoax. The Commissioners shared their emotional testimony of the situation, and gave credit to the DA and its staff for the preparedness of the students, teachers, and officers in the school district.
The next Commissioners’ work session is scheduled for 10:00 AM on April 12.