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With fewer events taking place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jamestown City Council discussed the potential of four events happening this year.
At a recent meeting, Brent Sheldon, Ward 1 councilman and Public Safety Committee chairman, said Pat Smeraldo of Collaborative Children's Solutions wants to sponsor four events this year. Smeraldo and Collaborative Children's Solutions organized the downtown holiday parade last year.
Sheldon said the four events include two with the Jamestown Tarp Skunks, events on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day that include the traditional Sunday festival in Bergman Park and the downtown holiday parade in December. All four events would include fireworks.
"This is an aggressive schedule of events," Sheldon said.
Following the announcements of the events, Marie Carrubba, Ward 3 councilwoman, asked if the committee could look into low noise fireworks because louder ones can sometimes sound like gunfire and at times regular fireworks can be disturbing to pets and people with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sheldon said the committee would look into Carrubba's request.
In other business, the council discussed equipment purchases for the Public Works Department. Jeff Lehman, city public works director, said at a previous meeting of the council there seemed to be a concern about whether a new street sweeper should be purchased. Patrick Monaghan, city fleet manager, said there is a strong desire amongst city Public Works Department employees for a new street sweeper.
However, Kimberly Ecklund, At-Large councilwoman, said city officials are still able to purchase parts for the street sweeper when it breaks, but that is not the case when it comes to replacing a 1999 dump truck. She said because city officials can't buy parts for the dump truck, it seems like the truck would be a better purchasing choice.
Monaghan agreed that the dump truck is also another vehicle that needs purchased and would be a valuable alternative.
Anthony Dolce, council president, said the American Rescue Plan Act funding that will be used to make equipment purchases for the department is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He said, as much as the council wishes they could, city officials can't replace every vehicle and piece of equipment with the ARPA funds. He added that the council is counting on city Public Works Department officials to decide and make a prioritized list of equipment and vehicles that need replaced.
Last month, the council approved funding $890,000 of ARPA money to purchase various vehicles and pieces of equipment for the Public Works Department. The items being considered to possibly be purchased include a salt spreading truck for $230,000 to replace a 2005 International plow truck; a plow/dump truck for $225,000 to replace a 1996 Ford; a street sweeper for $275,000 to replace a 2013 Johnston; and a utility truck/sidewalk plow for $160,000 to replace a 2009 Trackless.