Tyrone Borough Fire Chief Jim Beckwith is set to submit his formal retirement at tonight’s council meeting.
Beckwith made the announcement at last week’s meeting. He had been the borough’s fire chief for 28 years and has served on the department since 1961.
Beckwith has announced he plans to stay with the department in some capacity even after his retirement takes effect at the end of the year.
Borough council also dealt with a number of other issues at last week’s meeting.
The latest on the paper mill brought a decision by council to reaffirm the wording of an agreement with Team Ten LLC, regarding sewage capacity issues. The new plant operators have not commented on the move by council. Neither side has signed that agreement as it was worded in August.
The paper mill did not officially open as planned last week. In reviewing a copy of tonight’s agenda, The Daily Herald has learned the paper mill issue is not directly listed on it; however, that does not eliminate the possibility that it could be discussed in executive session and brought forth during the meeting.
At last week’s meeting, in addition to the paper mill, the fire chief’s retirement and trespassing problems in the watershed area, council also dealt with other routine business:
•Tyrone Borough approved the purchase of an air compressor for the Highway Department. Cambria Tractor and Equipment was the sole bidder at $13,429. The compressor will be paid for with Liquid Fuel funds;
•Tyrone Borough authorized solicitor Larry Clapper to put together the proper documents for the borough to take over maintenance of Schell Run Road in the Reservoir Acres development;
•Council also agreed to purchase a new generator for the water treatment facility from Stelco Inc., Altoona for $52,000;
•At the recommendation of Councilman Jim Beckwith, the borough agreed to increase the funding allotted for the Park Avenue Playground program from $1,000 to $1,500 in the 2004 budget. That matter is set to be brought up at tonight’s council meeting with the presentation of the 2004 proposed budget worksheets; and
•The issue of handicapped parking was dealt with at the most recent Tyrone Borough council meeting, council denied the request of Alfred L. Frank for a handicapped parking space at 1458 Pennsylvania Avenue and tabled action on a request by Melinda C. Dean for a space at 1059 Jefferson Avenue. That issue is also on tonight’s agenda along with an ordinance dealing with abandoned vehicles.
