Retail Store Planned at Former Garment Factory

Retail Store Planned at Former Garment Factory
By PETER BECKER/The Wayne Independent

HONESDALE – Monday night, Honesdale Council approved a request of Steven Daley, to convert a former garment factory on Brown Street, for a retail business. Daley, whose address is in Narrowsburg, intends to begin an outlet for upscale kitchens and appliances, bathroom fixtures, building materials and furniture.
The business is to be located in the former factory at 45 Brown Street where lingerie was made, along the railroad tracks just east of the Agway store.

The plan calls for 2,400 square feet of retail space and 1,440 square feet of storage. A lease arrangement has been prepared with Lackawaxen-Honesdale Shippers Association, owner of the land.

Council approved the request following a hearing, applying certain conditions- that the lease be in place, parking requirements be met, and a barrier fence be erected according to code, along the river bank. Space for 15 parking slots is planned along the river.

Also discussed:

€ Sally Talaga, director, Wayne County Historical Society, gave complimentary copies to Council members of the new book, “Walking Historic Honesdale.” This book offers three walking tours, of the North Main area, the commercial district, and religious structures. PennDOT produced the book through the Pa. Museum & Historical Commission, as a means to mitigate impact of the planned Church Street Bridge project. Copies may be acquired at the Historical Society museum.

€ John Seijk representing Home Depot in Indian Orchard, was given permission for volunteers from the store personnel to put in flowers and mulch in Central Park. He was directed to coordinate with the Parks & Recreation Commission.

€ There was an abundance of written requests made to Council the day of the meeting. President Walter Klein directed that from now on, all requests must be made in writing one week in advance of the Council meeting.

€Mayor Jonathan Fritz commended Honesdale Fire Department for their efforts at the deadly fire last month on Broad Street. He also applauded Honesdale Council for their democratic process in handling the recent zoning request on Grandview Avenue. Lastly, as a music lover he urged citizens to attend the Roots & Rhythm Festival in Central Park on June 24, a joint concert event planned by Greater Honesdale Partnership and Wayne County Arts Alliance.

€ President Klein recommended that a burning ban should be put in place and lamented that the County had not enacted one. Solicitor Matt Meagher advised that to enact a ban, the present burning ordinance, which allows limited burning, would have to go through the process of being amended. Fire Chief Stan Pratt noted that he recommended to the new county Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, Frank Smith to enact a ban but he was unable to attain the needed consensus of half the fire chiefs.

€ Sally Rutherford was appointed to fill the term of Jeff Firmstone on Borough Planning. Firmstone, who moved out of the borough, resigned from the Planning Commission.

€ Council approved sending a letter to Bethany and Prompton boroughs, Texas, Dyberry and Cherry Ridge townships, asking their governing boards to join Honesdale on a regional comprehensive plan. Councilman F.J. Monaghan said that the comprehensive plan for Honesdale was done 30 years ago and is very much out of date. Since then there has been rapid changes, to the whole area. A joint plan can address aspects each municipality has in common, including roads, zoning and storm water concerns. Joining forces also would be cost effective and help the municipalities be eligible for state funding. Together, they can designate growth areas, preserve agriculture, create well planned neighborhoods and protect natural resources, the letter states.

€ Council is weighing whether or not to form a single area sewer authority board to encompass Honesdale and nearby participating municipalities, or to have an authority board for Honesdale and a separate authority for the rest. The authority will oversee the regional sewer plant that needs to be in operation in 2014.

€ All Council members must be certified in disaster response and preparedness through a training program required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. NIMS ( “National Incident Management System”) training must be done by September 30th. If everyone is not certified, the borough would be ineligible for federal funding in the event of a disaster declaration.

€ Nolan Leba and Michael Bates have been hired for the Department of Public Works crew.

€ The Church Street Bridge Project is expected to go to bid this year. Councilmen Walter Klein, Peter Ridd and Gerald Ennis will meet with PennDOT May 17th to discuss how the new traffic patterns will affect the town, and what signage will be needed.

€ The Shade Tree Commission was abolished, and instead its function will be placed under Council by a Shade Tree Committee.

€ Electronic parking meters have been ordered and may arrive any day. The new time allotments will be 5¢ for 12 minutes; 10¢ for 24 minutes; and 25¢ for one hour. Meters will register the same, regardless of the street they are found. The new time charges are effective immediately, or as soon as the new meters are installed.

€ The Honesdale Little Baseball Association was given approval to have a well drilled, at their expense, at the Honesdale Little Baseball Complex.

€ Honesdale Fire Department handled 29 calls in April, 13 being in the borough.

€ Honesdale Police, in April, handled 61 crime reports, clearing 50. Officers gave out 39 traffic citations and seven criminal citations, and 21 warnings. They arrested 13 adults and three juveniles. Eight accidents were investigated. Meter tickets numbered 383.

€ The Memorial Day Parade is set for Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m.

€ The annual Flag Day ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 14 at 7 p.m., at Veterans Park (near the pool).

€ Although a specific date is not yet known, when the soldiers of Pa. National Guard, Company A 1/109th Infantry (Mech.) return from Iraq in June, a homecoming welcome is being planned along Main Street. When the date is known it will be publicized, so that the community may come out and cheer the soldiers as the buses head down the street. Their families will be waiting for them at the Lemnitzer Armory. Patriotic ribbons and balloons as well as a banner are expected to decorate Main Street.

Honesdale Council meets on the second Monday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The office may be reached at (570)253-0731.