Some officials favor community center

The Kiwanis Club book sale was held in the garage this year.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Community organizations and a local medical office are combining to turn a storage garage into a community center for the borough.
Several New Wilmington Borough Council members expressed support for the project after hearing about it at their meeting Monday.
Matt Hosie, representing New Wilmington Kiwanis Club, said Kiwanis and the New Wilmington Rotary Club want to turn the garage of the Jameson HealthPLACE, 138 Market St., into a community center.
He commented that this year, the Kiwanis Club's annual book sale was held there instead of at the borough fire department as in prior years. He said it worked out well and that the fire department did not have to move its equipment outside in order to make room. He added that that other community groups are welcome to take part in the project.
Jack Haines of the New Wilmington Rotary Club said his members are "much enthused" about the plan and have been looking for such a community project for years. Haines said he is involved in the annual Arts and Heritage Festival and said the art show could be held in such a community center instead of its current location some distance away at Westminster College's Orr Auditorium.
Judy Douglas of the Jameson Health System, said executive and financial officers at Jameson support such use of the building. She said the service organizations are planning to provide volunteer cleanup, repairs and painting, and Jameson's architect will make sure all applicable codes are complied with.
Officials interested
Council President Larry Wagner said the plans "sound good" and asked the three to let council know how they can work with the project. Council member Nancy Brooks called it an "ingenious idea," and Raymond Keefer said he is sure it will be" a real asset to the community."
The Jameson medical facility is in the former Titan Chevrolet building. The garage is the former repair area.
In other business at council's meeting Monday, Councilman Kenneth Romig reported he has received a quote showing a 12 percent increase in 2006 health care costs from the borough's carrier, Municipal Employees Insurance Trust.
Council also approved an oil and gas lease with CapRock, Warren, Pa., for drilling on borough property near the sewage plant on Maple Street Extension.