Part of Zelie skate park loan forgiven
Zelienople Borough Council on Monday forgave about $9,500 of a loan used to finish the Zelienople Memorial Skate Park.
The loan, which had been provided to the committee responsible for the creation of the park, was given in 2019 as a “bridge loan” so that the park could be constructed and contractors paid.
In sum, the borough forgave $9,442.78 of the original $16,109 loan.
Borough manager Don Pepe said the committee planned in 2019 to repay that debt through fish fries and other fundraisers.“They knew that they had two years' worth of fish fries that were coming in order to be able to pay off what they asked of us,” Pepe said. “Apparently, this thing called COVID hit us last year, and they couldn't do the fish fry last year and they couldn't do the fish fry this year.”Pepe said the committee had done everything it could to repay its obligation, but the unfortunate nature of the pandemic had precluded the possibility of full repayment by the end of the promissory note's terms. Forgiving that debt, Pepe added, would be the right thing to do.“It's a facility that's on our property,” he said. “It's now ours.”Council president Allen Bayer said the facility is enough of an asset for the borough for the cost of the forgiven debt to be minimal compared to its value.“I got to say, these people did just a yeoman's job in this whole project, and it's quite an asset now for the borough,” Bayer said. “The little bit ... we're forgiving of the project as a whole is just totally insignificant. I just applaud their work, absolutely amazing.”
Regular outdoor dining is back on the menu in Zelienople's Main Street.Council on Monday approved requests by 11 borough businesses to have seating or retail displays outdoors.Among those which sought approval are Eva Bryn Shoetique, Mathew Jewelers, Elluinger's Meats and Deli and Della Terra, setting those retailers and restaurants up for shopping and dining along Main Street during warmer weather.Prior to the meeting, Pepe said the requests are a routine item to ensure displays and tables don't block the flow of pedestrian traffic or take up so much sidewalk as to prevent disabled individuals from moving down the street.Bayer said Zelienople will look to enforce some of the requirements for the seating more than it had last year.“At least last year, and for good reason, we were very lax on bringing in the tables and the chairs, so I want to ask again if ... someone will monitor that, to make sure the street's clear every night,” Bayer said.Also approved were a request for the Zelienople-Harmony Farmers Market, a cornhole tournament and the Ayers Foundation Concert Series, all at Community Park.
