GREENVILLE, PA. Council president touts proposal

Borough council plans to create three boards to help run the town.
By LAURI GALENTINE
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- It's been three years since a portion of downtown Greenville was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Council president Richard S. Houpt said it's time to do something to help the business owners in that area -- Main Street from Mercer Street to Water Street-- get some of the federal money available to help them renovate their buildings.
He wants to establish a historical architectural review board. The board would create an ordinance covering the renovations of properties within the historical district and then monitor the projects to make sure they comply with federal rules.
The board would have to approve renovation plans and designs, and that would help property owners qualify for tax credits and other federal funding, Houpt said.
Houpt said the board would consist of two council members, two licensed real-estate brokers, a building inspector, a registered architect, the borough solicitor and two citizens at large.
Other panels
Council said last week that it wants to form two other committees. One would be called the shade tree commission and would consist of three borough residents.
"The commission shall have exclusive custody and control of the shade trees in the borough, and is authorized to plant, remove, maintain and protect shade trees on the streets and highways of the borough," Houpt said.
The other new board would be the vacancy board, which will find qualified people to fill open positions on other committees in the borough. Council has not decided how many people will sit on that board, Houpt said, adding that there are several openings on other boards and authorities that need to be filled.