Luzerne County restaurant inspections: July 27-31

West Pittston waves pave cut fees for water-line project

EXETER &#8212; The borough council took steps toward enhancing the community&#8217;s business district during Tuesday night&#8217;s regular meeting.The borough is applying for up to $25,000 in grant funding from Pennsylvania&#8217;s Department of Community and Economic Development to pay for the services of professional consultants to aid in the creation of a vision statement and action strategy for improving the borough&#8217;s business district.The planning services in question would come from the Lilitz-based firm of Derck and Edson, as well as the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit company specializing in community revitalization.The community improvement committee, Exeter Proud, played a key role in researching the programs made available from the two firms.Officials were quick to point out that Tuesday night&#8217;s motion would not cost the borough any money, but future costs may be incurred should a relationship be formed between Exeter and the firms.Exeter Proud committee member Nancy Dolan acknowledged that the state has not yet established a budget for projects such as these, but characterized Tuesday&#8217;s motion as being an early way to be involved should funding become available.The motion passed by a margin of 4 to 2 with council members Joseph Esposito, Joe Pizano, Thomas Shannon and Richard Turner voting in favor, while Denise Adams and John Morgan voted against.Councilman Larry Dellegrotto expressed support for the motion but abstained from voting, citing his relationship with Dolan.Following the meeting, Adams explained that she voted against the motion because she had not attended a meeting where the program options were presented. She was also stated a preference for finding a local firm to aid in planning if need be.In other matters, residents were reminded of the Exeter Volunteer Fire Department&#8217;s annual charity chicken roast to be held Sept. 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the volunteer fire hall on Lincoln Street.The council&#8217;s next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By B. Garret RoganFor Times Leader</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>The Times Leader newsroom may be reached at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter on @TLnews.</shirttailMeta></div>

Exeter applies for grant for downtown consultants