Wine, speed, and Little Baseball

Linda Drollinger
Posted 8/21/12

Honesdale Borough Council bylaws decree that a tied vote by the council must be broken by the mayor. Mayor Ed Langendoerfer was called on to exercise his vote more than once at the council’s May 13 …

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Wine, speed, and Little Baseball

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Honesdale Borough Council bylaws decree that a tied vote by the council must be broken by the mayor. Mayor Ed Langendoerfer was called on to exercise his vote more than once at the council’s May 13 monthly meeting. Councilman James L. Brennan was absent. All other council members were present.

The first business with which council members took issue was the request by a Madison Township winery for permission to sell wine on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Honesdale Farmer’s Market. After providing evidence of all necessary licenses and permits, the owner of the small family-run winery assured the council that sales would be conducted by family members only, acting in strict accordance with Pennsylvania State laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages. Langendoerfer’s vote sealed council approval.

Although it seemed apparent that all council members and borough officials were in favor of the proposed speed-minder for Church and Main Streets, there was disagreement about its implementation and maintenance. The $3,200 purchase price of the speed-minder, which will be located alternately on Church and Main Streets, is being partially offset by a Greater Honesdale Partnership donation. GHP Executive Director Gail M. Tucker made clear that it will require minimal maintenance, including monthly overnight charging and a one-time software installation. A GHP associate explained that the speed-minder has a dual purpose: as it informs drivers of their speed, it also collects data useful to law enforcement officers, zoning and planning board members, and Department of Public Works officials. Data collected will include the number of cars passing it, the speed of those cars, and 24-hour traffic patterns. Implementation and maintenance issues resolved, the council approved installation of the speed-minder.

Representatives of the Honesdale Little Baseball Association (HLBA) addressed the council, giving a brief history of the group and its long-time venue, Scott Kinzinger Sports Complex at 525 Grove St. They pointed out that HLBA designed, built, and maintained that venue from its inception in 1976 as one small baseball diamond, to its current status as a sophisticated sports complex with amenities that include multiple fields for several sports, locker rooms, concession stands, spectator seating, and parking facilities. They reminded the council that all development therein was accomplished without expenditure of a single taxpayer dollar. In recognition of that accomplishment, HLBA asked to enter into a 99-year lease of the complex with the borough, at a cost of $1. Council approved the request.

In other news, it was announced that the Honesdale Municipal Pool will open on Saturday, June 15.

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