New Cumberland elections set for ’17
NEW CUMBERLAND — Plans are under way for the 2017 municipal election in New Cumberland, during which time city residents will elect a new mayor and fill four out of six city council seats.
On Monday, council approved May 9 as election day and Jan. 9-28 as the filing period for candidates.
Mayor Linda McNeil’s four-year term expires on June 30, as do the terms of Ward 2 Councilmembers Maureen Vulgamore, Shawn Marks and Judith Bartley and Ward 1 Councilman Brian Webster.
McNeil, a political newcomer when she was elected mayor in May 2013, has said she does not plan to run for re-election.
Vulgamore was appointed to fill a Ward 2 vacancy in January 2015 and then won election to a two-year term in May 2015. Marks resigned his Ward 2 seat in November 2014 but then changed his mind and was re-elected to the same seat in May 2015.
Bartley and Webster are both finishing out four-year terms from 2013. It is unclear whether any of the council incumbents plan to run for re-election.
Also on the 2017 ballot will be the renewal of the New Cumberland Park Board levy. The excess levy is the primary source of revenue for the park board, raising an estimated $42,000 a year.
The levy was last approved by voters in January 2014 and is set to expire on June 30, 2018. If voters renew it in May, the levy will go into effect on July 1, 2018, and last through June 30, 2023, said City Clerk Sara Hawkins.
The park board, which also gets revenue from rental fees and state taxes, is responsible for New Cumberland City Park, the New Cumberland Community Center, the Eden Valley ballfield and tennis courts, the Dump Bridge park, and the South Chester Street park.
State law requires municipal excess levies to pass by a margin of 60 percent.
Also Monday, council:
• Hired the consulting firm PVE Sheffler LLC, of Fairmont, to survey a small park at North Chester and Arthur streets that is shared by the city and a private owner.
The contested piece of property is part of the estate of Shirley Peterson Wildman, who died in April 2013. Wildman’s son, Michael Peterson, the executor of the estate, has said that he is willing to donate the land to the city.
PVE Sheffler will continue the work that was started by another surveyor earlier this year. City officials hope the survey will settle any lingering issues about ownership of the park land and several adjoining lots.
“We are pleased that we’re able to restart the process, and we’re very grateful for the donor’s patience,” McNeil said.
• Discussed repairs that need to be made to the Eden Valley bridge. The city has hired Juszczak Development Corp. to do a survey of the bridge and a cost estimate of the anticipated work.
• Tabled action on the Clay Street repair project. The one-lane street next to Trinity United Methodist Church has sustained damage from erosion and people driving up on the sidewalk.
An engineering study by Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. gave a cost estimate for the work that is beyond what the city currently can afford, McNeil said. Council hopes to solicit a new round of construction bids in the spring.
• Hired Jesse Ziegler, of New Cumberland, as a part-time street department employee. He will fill in, as needed, for street department employee Walter Burch, who is on leave. Four candidates were interviewed.
• Increased the Cintas uniform allowance for street department employees.
• Approved year-end bonuses for city employees — $500 for full-time employees and $250 for part-time employees.
(Huba can be contacted at shuba@reviewonline.com)
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