Emerson Way/North Riverview is located on land that was owned by the Caldwell heirs, and they transferred the property to the borough.

Council member Rich Herman called adoption of the ordinance changing the name as a “happy occasion,” and council members recalled their favorite dishes at Emerson’s Dairyland.

Council member Ed Hopkins said his favorites included the “Pizza Burger,” noting that people traveled from Florida to enjoy the dish. Others mentioned the “Astronaut Burger,” with its special Astronaut sauce, and a unique and delicious menu feature.

The borough is planning to widen and improve Emerson Way and its intersection with East Main Street .

Polling place change

The Clarion Borough Second Precinct polling place has changed from one borough-owned property to another: from the fire hall along Wood Street to the Clarion Free Library along Main Street .

Herman asked if campaign signs would be allowed outside the library; he noted that such signs are always banned within 10 feet of the polling place entrance, but wondered if they would be allowed on borough property otherwise.

Council member Earl Zerfoss noted that the borough also owns the fire hall property, and signs have been allowed there in the past.

Hopkins said the fire hall property is paved, and there is no place to put any sign that must be mounted in the ground. Others noted that campaign workers have stood outside the fire hall and the ten-foot limit, holding signs and distributing literature.

Herman said he brought up the matter so the borough would have time to research the question. He later told the Clarion News he wanted to avoid any conflicts or arguments on Election Day.

Free parking for voters would be provided on Main Street in front of the library, Herman said, as well as in the rear along Merle Road , and handicapped parking spaces will be available.

The polling place will be in the library’s meeting room on the basement level.

ALF & 80

Borough Mayor John Stroup expressed thanks for all those who worked on the 2008 Autumn Leaf Festival, particularly Chief Hall and the police department along with other local law enforcement agencies that assisted.

“All that effort, it shows” Stroup said. “It’s one of the premier events of the state.”

Changes at the county’s Memorial Park worked well for this year’s ALF, Stroup said. To limit damage to the park and the many memorials there, some of the food vendors were moved to other areas, and picnic tables were brought in.

Stroup said ALF organizers requested donations of picnic tables and the response was overwhelming. “We got 33 tables and were hoping for ten,” he said, thanking all those who donated. They will be stored and used at Clarion County Park until next ALF.

Stroup also thanked those who helped campaign against tolls on Interstate 80, adding that more work is needed. Act 44, the state legislation authorizing the takeover of I-80 by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, is still in place.

Herman asked when Act 44 might be repealed. Stroup said he has talked to local legislators and it seems the matter won’t come up until after the election at the earliest.

Stroup said he plans to continue talking to legislators about the issue, noting that the state budget picture is “becoming bleaker” which could affect transportation funding.

Council member and former mayor Elaine Moore noted that while Stroup was thanking others he deserved much thanks as well “for all his hard work.” Stroup received a round of applause from council and the audience.

Council also…

lSet Halloween trick or treat hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29. The Halloween parade will start at 5:30 p.m. at the McDonalds parking lot at Seventh Avenue and Main Street .

lVoted to adopt an ordinance adjusting its property tax assessment ratio to 100 percent to conform to Clarion County ’s ratio. Herman said it was his opinion that the county should reassess property values, as the county has been using it 1975 assessment for “far too long.”

lAccepted the resignation, with regret, of Terri Moore as meter enforcement officer. Police chief Mark Hall said Moore did an excellent job.

lAuthorized a request for proposals for a consultant to help apply for Community Development Block Grants. Wilshire said no tax monies will be directly used. Zerfoss voted no.

lAuthorized Gannett-Fleming Engineers to begin engineering work on the Boundary Street Ramp project, a grant funded project to install Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramp to replace the stairways to the Boundary Street School .

lAdopted a resolution to dispose of old municipal records; Borough manager Nancy Freenock said the borough must follow state rules for records disposal and the disposal must be approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

lApproved a request from then Clarion County League of Women Voters to erect two “Remember to Vote on Tuesday” banners Oct. 29 and to remove them Nov. 5.

lApproved a special event permit request from the national Multiple Sclerosis Society for its Clarion MS Walk on May 3, 2009 .

lChanged the location of council’s Nov. 4 work session from Clarion Free Library to the borough building.