Due to the recent resignation of Councilwoman Terri Nye, who got married and moved out of the borough, and some unavoidable circumstances that did not allow for a quorum, Conneaut Lake Borough Council was not able to hold an official October meeting.

However, Council President Richard Holabaugh did allow some who were present to have the floor but reminded them that the board would not be able to take any kind of action due to the lack of members present.

Bob Moss, of the Ice House Park group, spoke to those in attendance and brought them up to speed as far as the progress of the park is concerned.

He imparted that, what is known as, Phase One had been totally completed and the appropriate paperwork, etc., had been filled out and sent off to Harrisburg. This would be for any kind of monies received via grants, etc.

When asked, Moss told citizens exactly what Phase One had entailed which basically, in a nutshell, was removing most all “evidence” (save the boat-lift), of what once was Reimann's Marina, and making it look the way it does currently.

For those not familiar, Ice House Park sets at the entrance to Conneaut Lake on the south shore.

The area in question has gone from a marina, and a lot, which once housed a diner, to a venue used for many local festivities. There are memorial benches, which form a half-circle around the perimeter, sidewalks, concrete that takes on the appearance of train tracks, as trains used to run through that area, electric hookups for any event in which electric might be needed, portable restrooms and a boat lift with decorative blue lights. These are just several of the improvements to the park and do not represent a full description of such.

Moss went on to say that there is more concrete work to be done this fall and other than that, everything is in order.

Moving along to Phase Two, Moss said that it would consist of demolishing the docks and then installing new floating docks. He ensured those in attendance that the new docks would comply with the ADA and they would also have a fishing region.

He mentioned that part of the grant money is allocated for signs to be placed on the docks alerting boaters that they could park at the docks for two hours in order to visit the businesses in town.

The dock will be a public venue.

Some decorative 17 feet-high arm-style lights will also grace the region. They will be LED lights and will be painted maroon in order to match the benches. These will also have banner arms which can be used for just what the name indicates.

Anyone interested in using the park may do so with ease by getting in touch with either Bob and Kathy Moss or Dr. and Mrs. Robert Moyers. Both telephone numbers are in the phone book.

There is a form that one must fill out in order to use the facility and, other than that, it’s smooth sailing.

Bob Moyers pointed out that any revenue generated by dock rentals goes directly back into the maintenance of the park.

Moyers also said that there hadn’t been too much going on with the CDC (Community Development Committee) other than some new officers being in place. Ed Yates is now the Chairman, Bob Moyers is Vice Chair, Laurie Yates is the Secretary and Anita Hans is Treasurer.

Ed Yates attended the Council “non meeting” and told all involved that he looks forward to working hand in hand with them as the CDC works as an arm of Conneaut Lake Borough Council.

Yates stated that if they beautify the town and make it more attractive in general, folks would be drawn to visit and spend money at the local businesses.

Moyers mentioned that Conneaut Lake is an official Heritage Community.

One event is going to take place because of the town being a Heritage

Community and that is a farmer’s market at the Catholic Church.

Holabaugh said it might be a thought to try and extend the season, in terms of the resort aspect of the town, and aim toward getting visitors year-round, if possible.

He then brought up the new zoning ordinance, which has been in the works for quite some time, and said that they are still in the process of trying to finalize it.

Sadsbury Township Supervisor Roy Whaley was present and jumped into the conversation at that point in order to impart that the township is within about two months of wrapping their zoning ordinance up.

He went on to say that a goal of the ordinance should be to make it as compatible as possible with the township’s so that any new businesses, etc., coming into the region would have conformity in terms of applications having to do with zoning and so forth.

Whaley pointed out that it is much easier to be in sync early in the game because granting a variance or making a change down the road is costly and time consuming.

Those in attendance from the Ice House Park gang and the CDC expressed their agreement with Whaley throughout his conversation with Council.

Borough Secretary Linda Joyce spoke up and said it might not be her place to do so but, she wanted to assure them that the Planning Commission and Council had been lining up the borough changes with the township and had been taking into consideration the recommendations of both the CDC and Heather Huard of the County Planning Commission.

Whaley had indicated at one point that the folks from the CDC hadn’t really been hands on in terms of the township zoning ordinance discussions, etc. Bob Moyers admitted that their main focus, up until that point had, indeed, been on Conneaut Lake Borough but, he told Whaley that they would shift to the township as well in the upcoming weeks.

After a brief discussion about a replacement well, a resident, Bill Eldridge, addressed Council in order to ascertain when they might be filling the vacant seat left by Nye.

He is interested in stepping into that position and had sent a letter indicating so.

Another person, who was not mentioned by name, had also expressed an interest however, had changed his/her mind. So, more than likely, Eldridge will be appointed at a special meeting.

Eldridge has been attending meetings and has been actively involved in learning about borough business for quite some time now.

Another citizen in attendance asked the board what the procedure was for filling a vacant seat.

Basically, a person must be 18 years of age, a registered voter and a borough resident for at least one continuous year.

The word for such gets out via newspaper reports, which alert the citizenry that there is a need for a new council-person.

Anyone who expresses an interest and qualifies, would be appointed to serve the remainder of the term and, after that time expired, would have to be elected to remain on Council.

For an unofficial meeting, a lot was brought forward and discussed at the gathering but, of course, no official action was taken on any issues.

Hopefully, the next meeting, on November 10, will have a quorum. The meeting takes place at the ambulance service building in Conneaut Lake and begins at 7:00 pm.

All area residents are invited and encouraged to come out and see what is happening with the local governmental officials.