Childhood development center planned

MIDLAND - Borough manager Diane Kemp informed the borough council at its meeting Thursday that Midland is in the final stages of completing a land sale to the Midland Borough School District, who will use the property to build an early childhood development center.

"It's a tremendous partnership," said council member Sam Rosatone. "It's a win-win for the community and for the school district."

While the final details are still being worked through by the two entities' lawyers, Kemp said a sales agreement has been signed on about seven acres of land, the site of the school's former football field on the north side of Midland Avenue, at a cost of $150,000.

Superintendent Sean Tanner said that they have been looking at starting an early childhood development center extensively for the last two years and have been searching for a location for about a year.

Tanner said that the idea for the center is a result of the school district's attempts to get ahead of the curve in education, including research that "all points to the importance of early childhood development ... We intend to be leaders in that."

The need for the center also stems from growth in the district and a day care program housed in classrooms "that has just overgrown the space," Tanner said, adding there is a waiting list of about 75 children.

Tanner said the center will be for children "from birth to to four to five year-olds," and will be "built with them in mind." While no plans have been finalized, he said preliminary plans are for a 10,000 square foot center, which, according to state and federal guidelines, would meet the needs of about 200 students.

The district offers kindergarten to four year-olds and also has all day kindergarten, both of which Tanner said they have had for over 30 years. "We try to provide these services as early as possible," Tanner said, adding there are "lifetime effects for children in quality early childhood programs."

While no funding has been solidified yet, "We will take the next few months to see how we can fund this project," Tanner said. "Taxes will not be increased by this project, I will guarantee that."

Tanner said that when finances do become available, recreational facilities will likely be added to the property "for the community and for the children," including basketball or tennis courts.

Tanner also lauded the efforts of the school board to move forward with the center and to be at the forefront of advances in education. "Our school board is committed to the youth of this community. They should be applauded for their efforts," Tanner said. "They've just been pioneers and role models in the way that boards should act and represent their community ... I can't say enough about them," adding that as a parent and a taxpayer, their work "means a lot to me on a personal level."

In other business, the Midland Borough Council:

Announced that on Saturday, the Beaver County Vietnam Veterans have organized about 1,800 motorcycles, to represent the number of those still missing in action in Vietnam, to ride through the county in conjunction with the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial being held in Beaver. The riders will begin at the VFW in Rochester at 6 p.m. and reach Midland shortly after.

Approved a low bid of $46,000 from Morrow Masonry to restore the Veterans Memorial.

Reported that the YMCA pool had 4,985 patrons this summer.

Approved the hiring of Steve Maritz as a part-time probationary officer.

Approved a motion to remove a tree stump at 356 Penn Ave. in order to repair the sidewalk.

Announced a new speed control system will be in place on Sept. 29.

Amended an ordinance that restricted parking in certain areas due to problems with the restriction lines being painted too far and creating problems with accessibility for businesses and citizens.

Approved a request from the St. Anthony Club to remove the sidewalk and curb in front of the club so that they can pay to have the sidewalk redone.