LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven City Council discussed the details within two separate use requests put before them during its first meeting in March including a potential alley closure downtown and placement of crosses in Triangle Park.

The first discussion centered around part of a request made by LH JAMS Director Steve Getz.

Getz requested the closure of Main Street from Jay to Vesper — pending PennDOT approval — on Aug. 8 beginning at 3 p.m. and reopening the following night, Saturday, Aug. 9, at 12 a.m.

Getz’s request also included the closure of Grove Street from Church Street to Water Street, though council elected to adjust that request so the closure stops at Jordan’s Alley to allow parking on half of the block while still giving bands space to load and unload equipment.

The request also included the placement of city barricades at Jay, Grove, Vesper and Water streets and to close Willard’s Alley.

Councilmember Steve Stevenson asked Getz if he could clarify what section of the alley he wished to close.

Getz said an extensive part of the alley needs to be closed, but noted there are safety concerns where it intersects with Grove Street near the Old Corner.

He further explained during the 2024 festival he witnessed a vehicle travel through that area at about 30 miles per hour and — even after moving the city’s barricades in the way of the area — motorists would remove them to get through regardless.

“I wanted to make sure that came to your attention because I’ve seen it happen,” he said, emphasizing the safety concerns he had as the event organizer.

Stevenson suggested the alley be closed fully from Jay Street to Fallon Alley. However, this was met with concerns for residents and businesses who may need access to the alley for parking.

“I don’t understand why that doesn’t work, just to block both sides of Grove and let the alley open,” Councilmember Rick Conklin said. “I just want to leave the alley open.”

Getz noted the appearance of barricades at those areas can be an issue and noted pedestrians in that area that may typically be more on alert will have more difficulty given the environment.

“When you put yourself in that environment and there’s hundreds of them, it’s pretty crazy,” he said. “You have people on Main Street listening to music and they’re eating and enjoying the evening… it’s dangerous.”

During discussion, it was suggested by resident and former fire chief, Bob Neff, the city place stop signs at the intersection of the alley with Grove Street.

“Currently at the alleys there are no stop signs. Temporary stop signs might at least slow the traffic down to avoid the issue,” Neff said.

Following discussion, council elected to approve Getz’s request except for the Willard’s Alley request to allow further discussion with the city’s police chief and fire and safety.

Wilson told council the street closures are only being approved on first reading and will come before them again, meaning it can consider what to do with the alley at that time.

TRIANGLE PARK

Similar to its approval of a flag display by Rotary Club of Downtown Lock Haven in January, council approved a request from resident Bill Stankiewicz to place three large crosses in Triangle Park but with a shorter timeline than what was originally requested.

The original request asked for the crosses — which have been displayed each year since 2022 — from April 5 to April 26.

Stevenson initially asked if the crosses were displayed for the three weeks that were being requested.

“We said before about long term park use and not being able to mow or maintain it,” he said.

Councilmember Heather Alexander asked if there would be other decorations in Triangle Park.

Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. Manager Melissa Dally, who was in attendance for the organization’s own requests, said the non-profit didn’t request to place decorations in the park.

“My event for Easter is to promote the businesses. So we’re doing a Shopping Eggs-travaganza,” Dally said. “I want to bring business to the businesses so that’s where my focus is on Easter.”

When council previously approved the requests from Stankiewicz it stipulated the need for other, secular, decorations be in the park to meet a Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruling.

Wilson told The Express the ruling — called The Reindeer Rule — involved two different SCOTUS cases: Lynch V. Donnelly and County of Allegheny V. ACLU.

“The Supreme Court determined that the celebration of many holidays may be culturally based in religion but also have secular purposes. If the display at a government facility contains only religious decoration it was found by the court to be an endorsement of a particular religion by the municipality. If, however, the religious display like a nativity creche is part of an overall display that contains a Santa House, and a reindeer pulling a sleigh (thus the nickname the Reindeer Rule), then it was not an endorsement of a particular religion,” Wilson said. “Religious displays for holidays at government facilities should also contain secular displays as well so that a governmental entity does not violate the Establishment Clause of the US Constitution.”

Wilson further noted the city does not have decorations to place in Triangle Park. The only decorations it owns are snowflake lights that are displayed across East Main Street in the winter.

He added, as of Wednesday, no use requests were submitted to place other decorations in the park.

During council’s meeting Monday, two motions were made regarding the placement of the crosses.

The first was made by Conklin and seconded by Council member Jeff Brinker and was voted down 4-3 with Council members Alexander, Tami Brannan, Stevenson and Mayor Joel Long voting against and Conklin, Brinker and Masorti in favor.

This was followed by a motion by Stevenson that would allow the crosses to be displayed from April 12 to April 23.

“That’s the date they said they’d take them down and the 12th is only one week shorter,” he said.

The motion passed 4-3 with Brinker, Stevenson, Masorti and Conklin voting yes and Alexander, Brannan and Long voting no.

Council also approved other use requests that included:

— Approved multiple use requests from Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. for 2025 including: the placement of flower pots on meters from May to September; the closure of Main Street from Jay to Vesper for Final Friday events from 3 to 10 p.m. on May 30, July 25 and Sept. 26; the closure of Main Street from Jay to Mill 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 for the Best of Clinton County Festival and parade; Scarecrow displays on light poles and the Gazebo at Triangle Park from Sept. 1 to Nov. 4; the use of Triangle Park, Fallon and Sarah’s Alleys and the Main Street parking lot from 1 to 10 p.m. for Moonlight Market on Main on Oct. 5; the placement of holiday decorations on light poles, in planters on meters and placement of holiday decor and Santa Hut in Fallon Alley from Nov. 4 to Jan. 9; and the closure of East Main Street from Henderson to First Street from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 29 for the Haven Holidays Parade. Council will consider the street closures on second reading at its next meeting.

— Approved the use of Triangle Park for Roads to Peace on April 25 and Oct. 24. April 25’s request will include a display for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Oct. 24 will include a display and vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness.

— Approved the use of Zindel Park for a wedding on Sept. 6.