By Jean Shanley
MEADVILLE TRIBUNE
December 21, 2020

CONNEAUT LAKE — Work continues on dock rentals at Fireman’s Beach for the 2021 season.

John Chuey, a member of the beach committee, reported at a recent Conneaut Lake Borough Council meeting that rental rates for the old docks have increased from $650 to $750 per year and the rates for the new docks have increased from $850 to $950.

Parking and launch fees will remain the same.

Mario deBlaso, a council member, said he believes the dock rentals are a good deal.

He said Fireman’s Beach docking is the best product in the area. He cited the amount of parking available and the close access to the boats and said the majority of the docks are better than any place on the lake.

Dick Holabaugh, president of council, said he agreed “100 percent” with deBlasio. Holabaugh also mentioned the new equipment at the playground on Fireman’s Beach.

DeBlasio said the reason for all the improvements is because of the great efforts of Councilman Bill Eldridge and the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee.

Holabaugh said council knew that and added, “That’s why we partnered with them.”

He added that the committee was able to obtain the funding needed for the multimillion-dollar revitalization project and that the committee “is a tremendous asset to the community.”

DeBlasio reviewed profit figures for Fireman’s Beach for the last few years.

In 2020, the profits were $58,000. Previous years were: $28,000 in 2015; $43,000 in 2016; $40,000 in 2017; $30,000 in 2018; and $24,000 in 2019.

DeBlasio pointed out that capital expenditures for improvements were made in 2018 and 2019. He cited the paving of the parking lot and building of a picnic pavilion as reasons for increases also.

DeBlasio said the beach offers “the finest access to the lake.”

Holabaugh agreed and said the trend for increased profits will continue.

DeBlasio said the “numbers don’t lie” and they are evidence that what the committee has promised “have been delivered.”

Council also agreed to purchase six concrete coyote decoys for the beach in an effort to keep geese off the beach.

By Jean Shanley

Meadville Tribune
October 30, 2020

CONNEAUT LAKE — Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee received a “vote of confidence” from borough council at last week’s meeting after a lengthy discussion about what authority the CLCDC has to act on revitalization projects in the borough.

The subject started when Bob Moss, one of the founders of the CLCDC, addressed council at the start of the meeting. He explained how he got started when the task force was founded with the idea of beautifying the town by getting rid of overhead wires and improving the street lights.

He said the plan first started about 2006, but nothing happened until 2012 when his wife, Kathy, insisted something had to be done. The CLCDC then was formed and the first project was Ice House Park.

From there, CLCDC started working on the revitalization project, which has resulted in a multi-million dollar project improving Fireman’s Beach and Water Street. The first phase on Water Street from First Street to Second Street is complete and the next phase from Second Street to Third Street will happen next year.

Moss said early on when the projects were first suggested, people were skeptical of the committee and wondered if the projects would ever happen.

He said the CLCDC did not go behind anyone’s back in planning the revitalization and had open meetings discussing the project and showing plans for it.

He said he had learned that there has been some “undermining” of the CLCDC and he is “appalled” by that.

He added that if borough council does not want to support the CLCDC, but wants to micromanage the CLCDC, to please let them know.

In response, president Dick Hollalbaugh said no one is against the CLCDC and praised the group for the work it has done.

Mario deBlasio, a new member of council, said he is pleased that “we’ve moved forward,” but believes the CLCDC should “tighten up its ship.”

Also speaking on behalf of the CLCDC was Ed Yates, the former chairman who signed the agreement with the borough on behalf of the CLCDC. He suggested there is no need to “let personalities get in the way” of the work the CLCDC does.

He suggested organization and council work together and urged them to “not lose sight” of improving the borough. He recalled when the project was first discussed, the late Dwight Stallard, who was on council at the time, said, “The door is open; let’s walk through it.”

Later in the meeting when it came time for the monthly CLCDC update, Bill Eldridge, member of council and chairman of the CLCDC, asked for support of council going forward with the plans.

He said he had learned of e-mails being sent to council members, which he believes were done to undermine the authority of the CLCDC. He asked for council to clarify again that the CLCDC has the authority to oversee the revitalization projects.

A 90-minute discussion followed in which deBlasio insisted that council needed to be more involved and have the final say on any change orders which must be done on construction, suggesting a committee of three members of council approve any change orders.

After a somewhat heated exchange during the lengthy discussion, council gave the group its vote of confidence to continue working on the project, including some more grants to fund the projects.

Eldridge said that in 2024 the state is planning a major paving project and hopes to get some funds for additional work on Water Street through that grant.

Meadville Tribune
Jean Shanley
August 24, 2020

 Memorial Park on Water Street will get an upgrade, thanks to the Conneaut Lake Kiwanis Club, which is using funds from a bequest from the estate of the late George Rutherford to pay for the improvements.

The club is working with the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee to replace the benches and pole lights to match those used in the revitalization project on Water Street. A new flagpole and flower urns also will be included.

The project needs a three-month lead time so it may not be completed until spring.

The park is used for Memorial Day services sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.
Rutherford was master of ceremonies for the observance for many years.

Kiwanis Club members Margaret Staahl and Ron Feldmiller were at the recent Conneaut Lake Borough Council meeting to seek council’s approval for the project.

The proposal was accepted unanimously.

Dick Holabaugh, council president, thanked the club and said he knew George would be proud of the work. He also said it was a very good way to honor him.

Rutherford was very active in the Kiwanis Club and was a previous member of council.

By Jean Shanley

THE MEADVILLE TRIBUNE
May 20, 2020

CONNEAUT LAKE — The next phase of the Conneaut Lake revitalization project is scheduled to begin in September.

The planned work is to improve the sidewalks and landscaping from Second Street to Third Street in the borough.

Bill Eldridge, president of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, which has spearheaded the project, told members of Conneaut Lake Borough Council last week that PennDOT has placed the project on the September work list.

Eldridge said the project is totally funded by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, so Penn-DOT schedules the work, which calls for notice to proceed on Sept. 21.

He said that could change, however, but he is hopeful it won’t so work could be done before the fall construction period ends.

The project is part of a multimillion-dollar revitalization project for downtown Conneaut Lake.

Work has already been completed from First Street to Second Street with many improvements, and on Fireman’s Beach with major improvements.

The committee continues to seek grants for other revitalization in the borough.

By Jean Shanley
MEADVILLE TRIBUNE
April 11, 2020

CONNEAUT LAKE — The second phase of a revitalization project in downtown Conneaut Lake has been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bill Eldridge, chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC), updated borough council on the project at its most recent meeting.

The project is to improve Water Street between Second and Third streets with lighting, sidewalks and pavement.

It is a PennDOT project with a grant of $485,000 from PennDOT, which put the hold on the project, Eldridge said. PennDOT officials were to be in town April 1 to review the project, but that did not happen and PennDOT halted action on the project, he said.

Eldridge said he was very disappointed because he and other CLCDC members have worked very hard on this project.

Eldridge said he is concerned that if the project is postponed too long that some of the better construction companies may not bid on it since larger projects might be going out for bid at the same time.

The first phase of the multi million dollar revitalization project included improvements to Fireman’s Beach and to Water Street from First to Second streets.

The revitalization project has a 20-year long-range program for updates to the borough, Eldridge said.

By Jean Shanley

Meadville Tribune

February 22, 2020

CONNEAUT LAKE — Plans for the next phase of a revitalization project in downtown Conneaut Lake will be discussed at a public meeting during which Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials will review the project.

The project is work on Water Street from Second to Fourth streets. The first phase was on Water Street from First to Second Street.

Bill Eldridge, chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, which is spearheading the revitalization project, announced the meeting will be held at the town hall at a date to be announced.

Eldridge also said the committee is hoping to obtain another grant from PennDOT for $275,000 for work on the project. The grant would be a 20 percent match from the borough, meaning the borough would have to pay $55,000.

He previously had said work might start in May.

By Jean Shanley

Meadville Tribune
July 18, 2019

A new playground at Fireman’s Beach by Conneaut Lake is expected to be completed by the end of August.

Bill Eldridge, chairman of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC), said at the most recent Conneaut Lake Borough Council meeting that the playground is ordered and he expects it to be erected during August.

The playground is designed for smaller children than the previous playground, which was dismantled because of arsenic in the wood and other safety concerns.

The playground cost is $30,000, Eldridge said. It was paid for through a $10,000 grant received through BernzOmatic as a result of an essay competition in which the fifth and sixth graders at Conneaut Lake Middle School participated; a $10,000 PNC Foundation grant awarded to the CLCDC; and $10,000 from funds raised through the CLCDC.

The playground was ordered through a state COSTAR program, which offers significant discounts to municipalities, Eldridge said. It meets all Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and will be installed by the manufacturer’s agent, Eldridge said.

The playground is approximately 35 feet by 60 feet and will include 12 inches of a wood chip base, which is contained by a small plastic surrounding wall.

The CLCDC also received a discount by having borough street supervisor Jim Donnachie accept delivery of the equipment prior to the day of installation and by having volunteers on site during installation to spread the engineered wood chip base material.

A picnic shelter at the beach also is expected to be erected soon by volunteers from His Work His Way ministry. Volunteers will do that work as soon as all final approvals have been received, which is expected within the next couple of weeks, according to Mike Krepps, a council member as well as chairman of the His Work His Way board.

The playground and picnic shelter are part of a multimillion dollar revitalization of Conneaut Lake, which has been developed over many years. Included at the beach along with the new sidewalks, parking lot and other improvements will be a new flagpole and flags.

The work in the borough also included improvements on Water Street from First Street to Second Street. Utility lines are being placed underground, and the overhead lines will be removed, Eldridge said.

Grants are being sought for the second phase, which includes similar updates as the first block of Water Street — progressing down that street. One grant has already been received.

Keith Gushard
Meadville Tribune
May 23,2019

CONNEAUT LAKE — On Tuesday, May 21, the third time was the charm on whether there should be retail sale of alcohol within the borough of Conneaut Lake.

Unofficial vote totals from Tuesday’s primary show borough residents approving the retail sale of alcohol by an almost 2-to-1 margin.

Voters approved the question — “Do you favor the granting of liquor license to hotels, restaurants and clubs in the borough of Conneaut Lake?” with a 91 to 48 vote.

Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee, the nonprofit civic group heading revitalization efforts in the borough, sought approval as a way for additional economic development within the borough. Similar measures were defeated in 2015 and 2011.

Once the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board receives certified election results, the PLCB will accept liquor license applications for establishments within Conneaut Lake. However, residents in Conneaut Lake could file an appeal of the vote.

But when a county like Crawford County is over its quota of retail liquor licenses or malt beverage distributor licenses, the PLCB can’t issue a new license.

A license from another municipality within Crawford County would have to be transferred into Conneaut Lake, Sean Kelly, PLCB spokesman confirmed Wednesday. Licenses cannot be transferred across county lines, either.

An active license or one held in safekeeping could be purchased or transferred, Kelly said.

There are five retail liquor licenses in Crawford County listed as in safekeeping, according to the PLCB’s website.

Safekeeping status means the site is licensed, but not active. Any licensed establishment closed for 15 days or longer must submit its license to the PLCB to be held in safekeeping while it’s closed.

While Conneaut Lake has been “dry,” or not permitting the sale of alcohol until approved by voters, it doesn’t apply to producers since state law changed in 2015, according to the PLCB.

Home Brewing Co. of Conneaut Lake does have an active brewery license that permits on-premises consumption and off-premises consumption of its product, according PLCB records.

By Jean Shanley
Special to the Tribune
Apr 23, 2019

CONNEAUT LAKE — The 28th Infantry Division Army Band, considered one of the premier military bands in the nation, performs at 3 p.m. June 30 at the borough’s Ice House Park.

Sandy Eldridge, a member of the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee (CLCDC), announced the appearance at a recent borough council meeting, at which time she asked for permission to have North First Street closed that day.

She said the CLCDC has been working on the arrangements for a couple of years and she “can’t think of anything more memorable” for the beginning of the July 4 holiday. She also asked for assistance from the Conneaut Lake Regional Police Department for traffic control.

Eldridge said a 50-foot military tank would be set up for the concert. The 32-member band plays both classical and patriotic music.

Also taking place at Conneaut Lake Borough Council’s most recent meeting:

• Conneaut Lake Community Pride’s annual “Make a Difference Day” starts at 1:30 p.m. May 5.

Volunteers will clean up Memorial Park, help plant flowers and perform other such work. Anyone wishing to volunteer may do so.

• The Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society dedicates the newly renovated office/research center at 1:30 p.m. May 5 at the museum, 150 N. Third St.

Board members did the work in the room, which includes new carpeting donated by Shipton Carpeting, new LED lights, new cabinets, a renovated handicapped bathroom, closet for electronic equipment and new closet for archives and supplies.

Funds for the work came through a grant from the Dietrich Foundation with matching funds from the society. The LED lighting funds came from a donation from Glenn Moss.

The dedication is open to the public. Light refreshments will follow.

By Jean Shanley
Meadville Tribune
Apr 16, 2019

CONNEAUT LAKE — “I waited a long time to make this announcement,” Bill Eldridge said as he reported for the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee to Conneaut Lake Borough Council at council’s most recent meeting.

The announcement was that phase one of the more than $3 million revitalization project at Conneaut Lake is complete with the bill paid. The project came in under budget by $60,000, he said. He has notified the finance committee of council to determine what to do with those funds marked for the renovation.

The only thing that remains to be done is the removal of the telephone poles and wiring and putting the wiring underground. It has been paid for, but the actual work has been delayed because Windstream is in bankruptcy. The date it will be completed is not yet known.

Eldridge was elated to report the completion of the project, which included major improvements to Fireman’s Beach, a promenade between Ice House Park and Fireman’s Beach, new parking areas at the beach and other improvements including new sidewalks and curbing and new pole lights along the first block of Water Street from First Street to Second Street.

Funding for the next phase of the project, which includes other areas of Water Street, is being sought now.

The borough’s matching funds of $200,000 for the project was made possible through a 10-year loan, which will be fully repaid from additional new boat dock rentals, Eldridge said. He emphasized the more than $3 million project was funded without a borough tax increase.

The project also would save hundreds of thousands of dollars in future infrastructure maintenance costs, which will be avoided because of the infrastructure work was done, Eldridge said.

Eldridge expects the new streetscape and beach facilities will attract new investments and visitors to Conneaut Lake, which was the original purpose of the revitalization project. He said he is “very proud of this major accomplishment” and considers it “mission accomplished” regarding the first phase.

Council member John Chuey commended Eldridge’s efforts, noting council knows how much time and energy Eldridge has spent on the project.

Michael Kribbs, another council member, said, “I agree,” adding that it has been a lot of work and “we appreciate it.”

Eldridge is a borough council member and chairman of the CLCDC, a committee of the council. He serves as liaison between the CLCDC and council.

While working on grants for the next phase of the revitalization project, Eldridge also reported on work being done this spring and summer on replacing the picnic shelter and playground at Fireman’s Beach.

He said two grants have been received toward the project. Conneaut Lake Middle School students raised one, which was a $10,000 grant from the BernzOmatic. The other grant was $10,000 from PNC, raised by the CLCDC.

Work continues this spring and summer on the playground. Designing the playground will be done as soon as possible, Eldridge said. The playground will be located near the concession stand on the grassy area.