Norwin briefs: Park's solar-powered Wi-Fi nixed; bus trip to Franklin planned; Irwin traffic signal upgrade
Irwin nixes solar-powered Wi-Fi at park
Irwin Borough officials nixed a proposal to seek funding for picnic tables with solar panels to power Wi-Fi and charging stations at Irwin Park.
Councilman Tyler Baum’s proposal that the borough’s engineer, Gibson-Thomas Engineering Co. of Latrobe, do additional research into the possibility of grant funding for the solar-powered Wi-Fi picnic table, died on Aug. 9 because none of the other five members on council offered to second the motion. Baum’s proposal was not debated at the meeting.
Other council members had criticized Baum’s idea during an Aug. 1 workshop meeting. Some members questioned the additional cost of providing the service at the park and whether it was necessary to have it at the park
Council President Rick Burdelski said after the Aug. 9 meeting that he considered the cost of project.
“Is this something we need at this time,” Burdelski said, adding that the borough could spend money elsewhere.
“We have so many other things to do,” Burdelski said.
Bus trip to Franklin slated
A bus trip is planned for Sept. 6 to Franklin and the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad for a three-hour train trip.
The trip also includes a dinner, shopping and a visit to an antique music museum.
The cost is $220 per person, with $110 of the fare due upon registration, with the remainder due on Sept. 6.
The trip is organized by Virgie Smith of North Irwin. For more information, contact Smith at 724-713-4372.
Traffic signal to be upgraded in Irwin
Motorists traveling in downtown Irwin will see an upgrade in a traffic signal in downtown Irwin.
Irwin Council awarded a $271,696 contract to Traffic Control & Engineering Inc. of Whitehall, to replace and upgrade the signal at Third and Main streets.
The project is funded by a state Automated Red Light Enforcement program grant. The project will cost an additional $6,705 to have the traffic signal painted black.
West Newton library to hold book sale
The West Newton Public Library will hold a book sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at the library parking lot, at 124 N. Water St.
Buyers can fill two bags for $5. The library selling adult fiction, biographies, paperbacks, children’s books, puzzles and non-fiction books.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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