SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — The borough recognized a man instrumental in the preservation of trees and recognition of what they can bring to the area at its meeting Wednesday.
“Frank has been the father of forestry here in Schuylkill County,” Jerry Bowman said of Frank Snyder, 65, of Orwigsburg, a former service forester with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry. Snyder retired April 15 after more than 30 years.
A European copper beech tree was planted at Bubeck Park in honor of Snyder. A sign will also be installed. The borough paid for the sign and the tree, which is about 6 feet tall but can grow up to 100 feet, Bowman said, adding the tree can live more than 100 years. He bought the tree in Doylestown after a visit where he saw the trees in Pike County, where Gifford Pinchot, first chief of the U.S. Forest Service and former state governor, lived.
Mayor Mike Devlin presented Snyder with a certificate of appreciation for his efforts in making the borough a better place to live. The certificate mentions Snyder’s role in establishing the borough as a participant in the Tree City USA program with the National Arbor Day Foundation, helping out with the South Schuylkill Garden Club and nominating Bowman to become a Pennsylvania Forest Steward along with other people in the county.
Snyder said little when recognized but was thankful to know he is appreciated.
In other business, the borough council decided to hire three part-time employees for the summer to help the recreation department. Christie Diehl, Edward Whetstone and Brad Allen were hired at $15 an hour. Borough Manager Scott Graver said they will start Monday and continue through the summer. B.J. Folk, borough recreation manager, said they will each work about 15 hours a week. Diehl’s role will be of an event coordinator who will handle such things as special events. Whetstone will be an assistant at the park and recreation center, and Allen will be a recreational supervisor overseeing duties such as mowing and other necessary items. Folk said the recreation offerings the borough has increased since he was hired in April 2014. He said there were 12 to 15 programs and now there are 45 programs and events that in one way or another that involve the recreation department.
Former board member Ruth Tucci wanted to tell the council about “terrible potholes. Very big potholes. They are on the right-hand side,” near the high school. After some discussion, it was determined the potholes were on upper Paxton Street off Haven Street when motorists drive to the high school. Graver said the location of the potholes will go on a list to be fixed.