The Scranton city council at its July 12 meeting appointed Ashley Squibb to fill a vacancy on the council.
Squibb has previous experience on the council. She takes the seat vacated by Cassidy Wilson who resigned in May. Squibb will serve until the election in November 2023.
The Marchant Library report included information on the summer reading program. With the 5-2-1-0 grant, new flexible seating and marker board tables were purchased. Plans were made for an outdoor sensory walk for youngsters with the grant providing the funding for the necessary materials.
“The stencils are to get kids to hopscotch, jump from one thing to another, follow along a curvy trail, that sort of thing,” Wendy Johnson, library director explained. “They are painted on the concrete (sidewalks) with exterior porch and patio paint. They should last a while before needing touch up.
“I have planned to do one in front of the library and have gotten in touch with Dawn Rudolph. She is going to talk with the Community Center board to see if they would like one there and where,” added Johnson.
Johnson also suggested sensory walks on the sidewalks leading to the gazebo, as well as one at the school park, the city park by Casey’s and Pond Park.
The council unanimously approved the sensory walks on the sidewalks in various locations through the community. Johnson noted it takes at least four coats of paint to get designs finished.
Following the vandalism at the new shelter house at the school park more than a year ago, the insurance funding has been received. The council approved allowing the Scranton fire department to rebuild the structure.
Two major purchases were made: the repair of a dehumidifier for public works at a cost of $4,184; and the purchase of a loader at $41,000.
Chad Kirk gave the public works report, mentioning that there are at least 50 trees that need to be removed by the city. The department keeps busy with mowing and storm clean up. Graffiti has been showing up in the parks. The backboard at the park basketball court has been shattered. It will be replaced but city officials did not suspect anything criminal with that damage.
Rudolph provided the Community Center update. She mentioned an app that can be downloaded for the disc golf which gives the course pattern and helps with points. Marking the distance between each post was discussed. Plans are to begin work on the west gym entrance in August. The roof repair has been completed and was successful.
