Hermitage police officers will patrol Shenango Dam

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- City police officers will soon be providing security patrols around the Shenango Dam.
City Manger Gary Hinkson said the city commissioners were presented with a proposal Thursday that would have the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which controls the dam and Shenango Lake, pay for the part-time service.
The commissioners are expected to vote on the agreement Wednesday.
Hermitage would be paid $19,116 for periodic security checks of the dam, the overlook area above it, and the Mahaney Recreation Area through the end of the year, Hinkson said.
Those areas are within the city's boundaries, he said.
The money is coming from the federal Homeland Security program, Hinkson said.
The Corps could seek to extend the agreement after the first of the year if funding is still available and if the city wants to continue, he said.
Improving field
In other business, the city commissioners heard a plan to help share the cost of improving the girls' softball field behind Hickory High School. The field is available for public use.
The $52,000 project includes building two dugouts, installing permanent fencing around the field perimeter, field drainage improvements and construction of some walkways.
The city will split the cost with the Hermitage School District although Hinkson said the city is seeking a $20,000 state recreation grant to cover most of its share.