MARS — Mars Borough Council discussed a number of borough business items during its Monday night work session.

[naviga:h3]Story hike[/naviga:h3]

Council reviewed an email from Mars Area Public Library asking if a “story hike” could be installed along Grand Avenue.

“They wanted to put (up) laminated pages from a story,” said Robert Bost, vice president of council. “Somebody would follow (the pages) down the main street.”

“I think it's like a walking tour,” said Christine Clutter, councilwoman. “Except it's things to read.”

The email, according to borough officials, specifically asked council to consider allowing the library to place story pages along the sidewalks of Grand Avenue.

Michael Fleming, council president, said the library probably needs to ask the store owners with businesses along Grand Avenue instead of council.

“We wouldn't have any position on that,” Fleming said.

“And it's just something temporary,” Bost said.

Councilman Brad Price, who owns Mars Brew House, said he'd be in favor of establishing a story hike with laminated pages.

“I would have no problem with them putting one on my building,” Price said.

Council agreed if the story hike isn't able to be installed along Grand Avenue, Garfield Park would be an acceptable alternative.

[naviga:h3]Borough development[/naviga:h3]

Mayor Gregg Hartung told council he's working with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB) to investigate different ways to make Mars more attractive to potential businesses.

“(We discussed) possibilities for a liquor license in Mars for a restaurant,” Hartung said.

Specifically, Hartung said an available license through the state Department of Community and Economic Development in coordination with the LCB seemed most viable.

“It takes about six months to a year to get that license,” Hartung said. “But you eventually get the license for $50,000.”

Hartung said the cost would be covered by the business that got the license, not the borough. He compared it to paying $300,000 for a license right now — if getting one now was even possible.

“In Butler County, there's no available licenses,” Hartung said.

Hartung added that an economic impact study conducted in preparation for the borough's proposed NASA discovery center will be completed this month.

[naviga:h3]Paving update[/naviga:h3]

The borough coordinated with PennDOT to get specifications and estimates on paving projects.

As discussed earlier this month, borough officials hope to pave the parking area behind Rite Aid along West Railroad Avenue toward Marshall Way. An early estimate of the project is $51,000.

Councilman Bill Lambert said if the area is redone, dumpsters near the parking lot should be set on concrete pads to prevent the new parking lot from cracking.