Walnutport to solicit sponsorships from businesses to spruce up memorial

Walnutport plans to reach out to local businesses for financial support in its quest to spruce up its veterans memorial.

On a 6-0 vote, borough council on Thursday agreed to solicit sponsorships to send out for donations to businesses. Councilman Harold Greene was absent.

Afterward, council agreed to create a separate account for the donations that are received.

In a related matter, council agreed to have the lowest bidder remove trees near the memorial.

Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz noted that the Centennial Committee provided a signed letter to council.

Several members of the 2009 Centennial Committee attended last month’s council meeting to discuss the use of about $11,000 that was set aside in the Centennial fund for improvements to the memorial.

Committee member Doneta Merkle told council at that time the wish of the Centennial Committee is for those funds to be used toward the veterans memorial located in the small park between Washington and Fifth streets.

Resident Ricky Smith said the project has to be completed by December per the grant deadline.

“I think we can pull in some money for this to really make it a nice place,” Smith said.

Michael Kukitz, who served as executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority until he resigned in March, previously obtained a grant for the veterans memorial.

The grant amount is $23,983, and was funded by a grant through the Northampton County Livable Landscapes Program, Northampton County’s Open Space Initiative.

However, it is a matching grant, and the borough has to provide the other 50 percent. The match may be cash, in-kind services or a combination of both.

It was agreed that the borough’s 50 percent would come through a combination of the roughly $11,000 left in the Centennial fund, along with in-kind services and/or volunteer services.

Kukitz previously said the grant is to be used for beautification and accessibility improvements.

The work will include the removal of trees and putting in new decorative trees, flagpoles, benches, lighting and improved access to the memorial.