LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven City Council unanimously approved a resolution which authorizes the transfer of Eastside Fire Company’s property, at 120 E. Church St., to Eastside Fire Rescue.

The building was previously owned by the city, with the former Hope Hose Fire Company having entered into an agreement with the municipality in 1970.

According to Eastside Trustee Member Bob Neff, the new fire company — which was created in January after the merger of Hope Hose and Hand in Hand fire companies — signed the agreement. However, its board realized it would be more advantageous to take ownership of the building.

Neff noted the fire company is already responsible for the building and its maintenance. He said the board of trustees — and the previous board when it was controlled by Hope Hose — have already performed various forms of maintenance that includes resealing the parking lot, painting the outside of the building, replacing the lighting inside with LEDs and installing mini-split unit heating and cooling to increase efficiency and lower electric costs and more.

“Our intentions, much like the merger, are nothing but good and making sure the fire station stays in good shape,” Neff said. “We have no intention of allowing this building to fall into disrepair. It’s our home, and we have every intention of it being our home for the next 100-plus years, like the other two fire stations were our homes for the last 100 years.”

Neff noted that, based on advice from the board’s solicitor, if Eastside were to disband, the property would be given back to the city.

“We have no intention of leaving or disbanding and selling the building. We just feel it would be more advantageous for us and the city if we were the owners of the building,” he said.

With the transfer, Eastside’s board would continue to handle maintenance and upkeep of the building, with the city only providing water and electricity.

Neff also noted the transfer could help the fire company in its future grant applications, which City Planner Abbey Roberts agreed to.

“It probably will help them because it’s a small fire company,” compared to the city, she said.

In other business council:

— Heard from city resident Jo Ann Bowes about the conditions of Erie Alley, located between West Water Street and Jordan’s Alley. Bowes said the alley, near her home at 220 W. Water St., is in desperate need of repairs. She noted the 100-feet long section of road has at least five large potholes that are between three and a half and four and a half inches deep. Not only do the potholes create a danger year-round, Bowes told council that due to sunken wheel tracks the plow trucks aren’t able to fully plow the area in the winter, creating ice patches. Bowes requested council consider paving the roadway — which has seen minimal work since the 1990s — in its 2025 budget. During discussions about the upcoming Community Development Block Grant application process, Councilmember Barb Masorti asked city staff to see if the alley could be part of potential paving through the grant.

— Approved the closure of East Water Street from North Jay to North Grove on Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the rededication of Veterans’ Park.

— Awarded the 2025 garbage removal services contract to JJ Peters, Inc. for $11,556.

— Approved a resolution for the Broadband Ready Community. Roberts told council the resolution was provided to her by County Planner/Engineer Steve Gibson, who is asking all municipalities pass the document. The intention is to make sure the county is prepared for any upcoming broadband related grants. Roberts noted, though the city’s broadband is good, there are many places within the county that it isn’t. “So, we’re being a good partner in supporting this,” she said.

— Appointed GIS Technician Jon Hart as the employer representative on the city’s state-certified safety committee.

— Approved the use of Zindel Park for a Mushroom Walk on Sept. 28.