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Council praises Fourth of July volunteers; manager says borough may receive ARPA refund to shore up recreation fund
Summary
Council members thanked volunteers and staff for a successful Fourth of July celebration; the manager said the Columbus Club's recent sale may allow ARPA funds to be returned to the borough and possibly placed in the recreation fund to stabilize future fireworks funding.
Council and staff reviewed the borough's July 4 activities, praising volunteers, public safety staffing and vendors that supported the parade and fireworks. Council members reported the parade moved through in roughly 40 minutes and that hydration and medical standby were provided.
"I think Clifton stood up and, you know, we made sure that everybody was... getting hydration, water, making sure... the parade continued straight without a lot of interruptions," the manager said, praising volunteer coordination and emergency standby.
The manager said the borough currently budgets $25,000 a year for fireworks and described efforts to expand private fundraising after collections declined when the parking-lot fundraiser was removed. He said several vendors and private donors stepped up this year, including SJ Thomas company and local contractors.
In addition, the manager said the Columbus Club recently sold and "made a decision to sell... they felt it was the right thing to do to turn the ARPA back to the borough." Staff are evaluating whether those funds can be placed in the recreation fund to provide a stable source of money for the Fourth of July; the manager said that assessment is ongoing.
Council did not adopt any funding decisions at the meeting; the manager said consultants will review whether ARPA funds can be allocated to the recreation fund.
