ASHLAND - Even though it has not moved, the Mother's Memorial officially has a new address after Ashland Borough Council declared the landscaped area around the memorial as "Welcome Home Plaza."
The new designation was made official by a borough council resolution at the Aug. 14 meeting and in time for Saturday's dedication of the state historical marker honoring the Ashland Boys' Association at the base of the memorial at Hoffman Boulevard and Chestnut Street.
On Saturday, the annual ABA Parade will be held at noon, followed by the ceremony to dedicate the historical marker at 3 p.m.
In the resolution, it is stated that the Mother's Memorial, which was an ABA project and dedicated 75 years ago in 1938, "is a landmark of distinction deserving of an address of distinction," and "in recognition and in celebration of the Ashland Boys' Association and thousands of former residents who have come home and participated in the Ashland Boys' Association traditions, the borough and the citizens wish to recognize the Ashland Boys' Association members and wish to recognize the location of the Mother's Memorial."
The resolution concludes, "Now, therefore, be it resolved that from Aug. 31, 2013, forward, and for all time, the landscape area surrounding the Mother's Memorial in the area from Chestnut Street to Market Street shall hereinafter be known and forever designated 'Welcome Home Plaza' so that the address of the Mother's Memorial will forever be, 'The Mother's Memorial at Welcome Home Plaza.' "
In other business, the council listened to comments from resident Frank Rice about the forming of a crime watch. Rice said a meeting was held Aug. 13 to discuss the possibility of creating the group. He said the meeting had 20 people in attendance, including three council members and police Chief Adam J. Bernodin Jr. During the Aug. 13 meeting, Rice, a retired Capitol Police officer, offered to volunteer to write media releases on police activities.
The next meeting of the Ashland Community Watch Group will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., Ashland. Election of officers and drafting of bylaws will be discussed.
"All interested citizens who want their town back are invited to attend this very important meeting," Rice said in an email message. For information, call 570-875-4190.
Borough council also acted on the following agenda items:
- Accepted a quote from Interboro Packaging Corp., Montgomery, N.Y., of $7,648 for 50,000 trash bags. Quotes from three companies were received by the borough, with Interboro providing the lowest proposal.
- Approved a resolution to enter into a lease agreement with Real Lease Inc. for the purchase of the new 2013 Ford Interceptor police car. The lease is for 36 months at $888.84 per month.
- Approved the proposal of $2,800 from Alfred Benesch & Co. to conduct the annual reservoir inspection as required by the state Department of Environmental Protection.