Christian Thaman, left, received the oath of office from New Cumberland Mayor Will White, Tuesday, becoming the newest member of New Cumberland City Council. Thaman was appointed to the Ward II Seat B position on council after no one sought the office in this year’s municipal election. (Photo by Craig Howell)

NEW CUMBERLAND — Additional improvements to municipal facilities were among the issues discussed during Tuesday’s meeting of New Cumberland Council.

Among the matters was a proposal to pave an area along River Avenue in an effort to provide additional parking for the municipal offices.

“I reached out to three people,” reported City Clerk Tammy Jenkins. “Unfortunately, I only heard back from two.”

Of those two proposals, council opted to go with the one from Alex Paris Contracting, of Atlasburg, Pa., at a cost of $18,472. The other proposal received was from James White Construction, according to Jenkins.

In a related matter, Mayor Will White recommended council seek estimates to trim trees currently located near the planned parking expansion area.

“We want to get the trees taken care of so they don’t do any damage,” White said.

Jenkins said it had been indicated the trimming could be performed in-house by city employees, saying she and maintenance staff had been shown a few particular limbs which would only require the renting of a lift. However, White said he envisioned a more involved trimming project and feels it could be beyond employees’ availability.

White also indicated it could represent a timing issue, as the tree trimming would have to be done prior to the paving.

Councilman Mike Watkins suggested the city move forward on obtaining professional estimates for the tree project, while consulting with city staff to explain the full scope planned in the event it cannot be done internally.

In other business, Watkins recommended moving the city’s Street Department operations from its current location near the city building to the municipal garage.

“Everything in that garage is going to move over,” Watkins said, explaining he feels it makes sense to have the street department under the same roof as other labor-related departments.

The area currently used by the Street Department would then be available for the police department, as well as be opened up as community space during the River Fest or other celebrations.

chowell@weirtondailytimes.com