Walnutport approves more work for veterans memorial

More work on the veterans memorial in Walnutport has been approved.

On a 6-0 vote, with Councilwoman Joan Rehrig absent, borough council at its workshop meeting on Thursday gave the go-ahead for more work to the veterans memorial in the small park between Washington and Fifth streets.

Among the work is the installation of stenciled concrete around one cannon, one mortar, around the monument, and behind the monument and flagpoles ($6,875); buying and planting six trees ($3,600); and the auguring of holes and installation of sauna tube for the flagpoles ($600), for a total of $11,075.

Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz noted that the memorial work is being paid for through a combination of money from private and public donations, moneys from the Centennial Committee, as well as in-kind services so that the borough’s 50% match is totally covered.

The grant money will be satisfied by Dec. 1, as the project has to be completed by December.

In July, council agreed to spend an additional $2,700 for concrete work that includes an ADA ramp.

That came after council in June agreed to spend up to $2,500 for concrete work at the memorial.

Also in June, council received a pair of donations that totaled $3,000 toward the memorial; one a $2,000 check from the Diamond Fire Co., and $1,000 from the Diamond Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary.

Several members of the 2009 Centennial Committee attended a council meeting in April 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 memorial.

Michael Kukitz, who served as executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority until he resigned in March, previously obtained the grant for $23,983, funded by a grant through the Northampton County Livable Landscapes Program, Northampton County’s Open Space Initiative.

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