NEW WILMINGTON

NEW WILMINGTON
Council action
Borough council did the following on Monday:
* Opened the sole bid -- $74,631 from Butch and McCree Paving Inc., Hillsville -- to pave and curb New Castle and Market streets. The bid will be reviewed before being accepted.
* Agreed to buy a 2005 Chevy regular-cab pickup truck from the Dave Fleet dealership in Monroeville at a cost of $26,938. Borough Superintendent Fred Garrett explained that council had to join the Westmoreland County Council of Governments for $130 to receive a special price on the vehicle that represented a significant savings.
* Were shown reflective house number samples from Mayor Wendell Wagner that will be required at all borough addresses to make it easier for emergency vehicles to find them. Council agreed to proceed with preparation of an ordinance to require the numbers.
* Ordered an ordinance prepared to prohibit parking on the north side of Beechwood Road between Market and New Castle streets. Police Chief Carmen Piccirillo said the road is heavily traveled and that during some Westminster College events, its entire length is lined on both sides with parked cars. He said New Castle Transit buses can't get through.
* Named Brian Taylor to the Borough Planning Commission to replace Mary James, who moved out of the borough.
* Heard a report from Councilwoman Susan Ligo that she has received many applications for jobs at the borough pool this summer and will soon start interviewing candidates.
* Was told by Piccirillo that criminal offenses significantly dropped this quarter from 49 in the first three months of 2004 to 34 this year.