Lock Haven Struggles Financially While It Adapts to Green
LOCK HAVEN – The City of Lock Haven is looking at a fiscal year budget deficit of $664,000, according to information provided to City Council at its virtual meeting Monday night.
City Manager Greg Wilson provided the update and he pledged to council he’ll “under spend” for the remainder of the calendar year to make up for the loss of revenue, all resulting from the effects of the coronavirus. Items on the chopping block include not filling the vacant positions of airport director and a street department operator; fire department equipment; and a new police cruiser. Additionally, some $90,000 will be transferred from the city’s reserve fund towards the deficit. Wilson expressed some hope that some of the money may be made up through various federal assistance programs and the possibility of another federal stimulus program.
Wilson provided information on a phased-in re-opening of city facilities as Clinton County goes to the state-announced green phase this Friday. City Hall reopened on Wednesday of this week, by appointment only; the Second Avenue Department of Public Works facility opened on Monday by appointment only; also opening the city’s three fire halls, for indoor ice sales, business meetings and as polling places.
As for recreation areas, Wilson said, June 16 would be the first date that baseball and softball fields could reopen to play. Mayor Joel Long said he had received an inquiry from the Babe Ruth League about use of Taggar t Field. Wilson said applicable state and CDC guidelines would have to be met, a written plan from prospective users would have to be submitted to the city, and city council would have to give its okay; council’s next meeting is not until June 15.
Wilson said use of the city’s basketball court and skate park would be a lower priority and would require extensive sanitizing. Instead, he said, the city ‘s top priority is being directed towards downtown businesses, the city seeking PennDOT permission to close a portion of E. Main Street to vehicular traffic on Fridays and Saturdays through the end of September. The earliest that could start would be Friday, June 12, if the state concurs. Wilson said many details need to be worked out. Council member Steve Stevenson called the creation of a pedestrian walkway on Main Street a “great opportunity,” harking back to when the downtown was filled with retail outlets and their periodic “sidewalk sales.”
