Beer Meet: Boneshire envisions its new brewery as a place for great beer, great company

December 30, 2016 | by Cathy Jordan

“What kind of beer do you like?”

Alan Miller asked me that question as I bellied up to the bar at Boneshire Brew Works, the Harrisburg area’s newest entry to the craft beer scene.

I told him that I like both dark beers and light beers. So, he poured a Russian imperial stout, brewed with honey and oats (the dark). Next came a Belgian white ale brewed with coriander and bitter orange peel (the light).

And, if you visit, Miller probably will ask you the same question. He told me that the answer helps him gauge what to pour, what you might enjoy sampling.

Two months ago, Miller and his partners opened Boneshire in an industrial space that once made parts for muscle and drag racing cars. Turning a former machine shop (and, later, a batting cage) into a brewery involved removing old floor tiles, running new sewer lines and making space for the brewing equipment.

Miller noted a few more reasons for bringing his establishment to Derry Street in Swatara Township. The location is halfway between Hershey and Harrisburg and can tap into the West Shore traffic. He also wanted a retail front and a place where he could easily and effectively get materials in and out. The space he designed is open and inviting, and people can see the brewing process in action.

Who We Are

Miller grew up in western PA, and his family still lives there.

“The first beer I ever had was Iron City,” he said, affirming his roots.

Later, a friend lured him away from weak macro-brews by introducing him to flavor-rich craft beer. He was hooked. He soon was attending beer festivals, noting how much people enjoyed tasting and sampling the creations.

Miller began brewing at home and later became part owner in a small craft brewery, Millbock Brewing Co. in Linglestown, which he described as a pilot project that closed after four years. He decided to bring in other investors, 10 in all—friends and family who now help cleaning, bartending, managing, accounting and catering—and opened Boneshire. It took eight months, and the partners did most of the work themselves. They built the bar and the walk-in freezer and grinded the concrete floors.

There were stumbles along the way. One surprise came when Miller placed his first order for glassware—the glasses didn’t arrive in time for opening night, and he made a dash to a local supplier.

“Four cases disappeared in the first week,” he said.

They have plenty of glassware now, and, if you order a beer, it’ll be served in Boneshire-branded mason jars.

So, where did the name Boneshire come from?

“It’s a combination of my son and my dog,” Miller said.

His son is nicknamed Hambone, and his dog is a Yorkshire terrier.

“I wanted to trademark something without any name infringements and tie it in to something meaningful and to develop our unique brand,” he said.

And then there’s the pig logo.

“My family were pig farmers in western PA,” he explained.

Miller plans to eventually open and operate a barbecue joint for all those pork junkies out there.

“Pit style,” he said. “The whole pig, cooked slow and served over the weekends.”

He paused for a moment.

“I also want to make sauerkraut because it’s something my dad likes to do and is good at, and it tastes good while being made in a traditional manner that reflects who we are.

Gathering Place

Miller described a typical day in the brewery.

“The system is manual,” he explained. “It’s pretty labor intensive. I’m in at 5:30 a.m. by myself. It takes about eight to 10 hours to brew and clean. I shovel the grain, mash and bring the kettle up to boil. Add hops and other ingredients. Cool and transfer to fermenters. Pitch the yeast. Then it’s time for cleaning.”

The brew works is BYOF (bring your own food), and the plaza fortunately has two restaurants attached, specializing Italian and Chinese cuisine. I asked Miller why he wanted to bring a brewery to Derry Street.

“I’ve asked myself this question a million times,” he replied. Then, with a smile, he added, “Anytime you can do what you love, and see others enjoy it too, well, that’s something I love and appreciate.”

He also enjoys meeting a wide variety of patrons and hearing their stories.

“We have good crowds here,” he said. “I was surprised and pleased by the local support. I think the support comes because this brewery provides locals with a sense of ownership. This is their brewery in their town, brewed with the same water they drink at home.”

Miller said that he’s resisting putting in a TV and is doing everything possible to get folks, as they enjoy a beer, to converse or even break out one of the board games that are piled on a baker’s rack along a wall. He envisions his brewery as community oriented. He even plans to have movie nights, using an old-fashioned projector to show classic films.

“Ultimately, this is a gathering place,” he said.

Boneshire Brew Works is located at 7462 Derry St., Harrisburg (Swatara Township). For more information, call 717-469-5007 or visit www.boneshire.com or the Facebook page.

Author: Cathy Jordan

December News Digest

December 30, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg Budget Passed

Harrisburg City Council last month approved a $65 million budget for 2017, largely reflecting the spending plan that Mayor Eric Papenfuse proposed in November.

The budget, a nearly $6 million spending increase from last year, includes $2.5 million for a new public works facility, $127,754 for police body cameras and Tasers and $90,000 to repair Reservoir Park’s band shell.

City Council voted 6-1 to approve the spending plan. Only council Vice President Shamaine Daniels voted against it.

Overall, the budget largely reflected what Papenfuse proposed during his November budget presentation.

As per capital expenditures, the Bureau of Police will receive new Tasers for every officer and the deployment of a 303 impact device on every shift. The budget also funds body cameras for every officer, as well as two new positions—a public safety information technology specialist and a crime analyst.

The new budget gives $130,000 to the Bureau of Fire to replace a straight truck and to upgrade inspector vehicles.

Other infrastructure spending was approved for projects such as traffic signal upgrades, accessibility improvements per ADA requirements and streetlights.

City Council last month also passed a tax bill, which will keep the city’s property tax rate unchanged for 2017.

Broad Street Market to Become Nonprofit

Harrisburg’s historic farmers market was given the all clear to transition to a nonprofit entity, as City Council approved a lease and management agreement last month with the soon-to-be-formed Broad Street Market Alliance.

A resolution to enter into the agreement was approved by a unanimous vote after council brought it up from the floor at the December legislative session.

After the meeting, market Manager Beth Taylor said the management agreement will allow the market to enter a new era, able to tap into grants reserved for nonprofits and raise funds more easily for upgrades and improvements.

For decades, the market, which dates back to 1861, was squeezed among various entities, run by the for-profit Broad Street Market Corp. under the auspices of Historic Harrisburg Association. In addition, the city owns the two market buildings and property and had been liable for all maintenance and repairs. That responsibility now will fall to the Broad Street Market Alliance.

Moreover, council introduced a resolution that would add more free parking for the market. Under the resolution, James Street, William Street and N. 4^th Street would become two-hour market parking from Verbeke to Sayford streets.

Currently, those streets are residential permit parking for the Marketplace neighborhood, though most are lightly developed. Having been introduced, the resolution likely will be voted on by council in January.

Market Street Corridor Concepts Unveiled

PennDOT last month unveiled conceptual designs for the Market Street corridor, including a flood-controlled Paxton Creek, a beautifully redesigned and landscaped Market Street and the possible relocation of the bus transfer station to the area.

PennDOT shared the concepts with the public at the transportation center, the result of a three-month process that began with “Visioning Week” in September, when members of the public weighed in on what types of transit-oriented development they’d like to see in the rundown area just east of the station.

Angela Watson, PennDOT’s director of the Office of Multimodal Planning, explained that the concepts unveiled were of three types: for the transportation center itself, for Paxton Creek and for Market Street.

The transportation center stands first in line for improvements, with $15 million already pledged to continue a years-long renewal of the station. The next phase, which will take place later this year, will rehabilitate much of the interior, with updated design work followed shortly afterwards by the actual renovation work, she said.

An effort to control Paxton Creek is also underway, with a study to identify ways to lessen the flood risk due for completion in April. Flood mitigation is considered critical if the area is to be revitalized.

The other concepts involved improvements along Market Street. One concept showed a redesigned and vastly improved streetscape. Other concepts illustrated the possible relocation of the city’s bus transfer station to either Harrisburg’s former central post office or, across the street, to the site of the old Patriot-News building. Funding is not yet in place for this work.

Park Harrisburg Board Meets

The board for the city’s parking system held its semi-annual meeting last month, with Standard Parking Regional Manager Jon Kemp saying his company decreased expenses by $60,000.

First, changing electricity providers from PPL Electric Utilities decreased the rate for electricity, he said. In addition, updating to energy-efficient LED lights in the four most outdated garages—River Street, Walnut Street, 5th Street and Chestnut Street—saved Park Harrisburg $33,000 from July to September, Kemp said.

John Gass, the director of parking system manager Trimont, said that Park Harrisburg will announce a rate increase in late December. He did not say what type—for street parking, garages or enforcement—or give any specifics to the increase.

In order to make bond payments, Gass said he sees the only two options as increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. He said revenues and operating expenses are on budget for 2016.

Storm Water Issues Addressed

Capital Region Water last month released a draft of its “City Beautiful H2O” plan, a long-term community greening plan to address storm water issues.

The plan envisions using green infrastructure to filter and improve storm water that flows into the area’s waterways. Currently, when even moderate rain falls, the city’s combined sewer system overflows, causing storm water to mingle with sewage, which leads to pollution and flooding caused by system backups.

Three pilot projects will kick off City Beautiful H2O.

In the draft, a rain garden, two storm water planters and porous basketball courts will be installed at the 4^th and Dauphin playground near the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum. A bioswale, a type of landscape design, will remove pollution from the runoff water. Along N. 6^th Street, storm water planters, rain gardens and a storm water storage trench are planned for the Camp Curtin YMCA and the adjacent block.

The third project features water bump outs, rain gardens, tree trenches and a community garden in the Summit Terrace neighborhood along N. 12^th and N. 13^th streets.

The plan also encourages residents to play a role by employing natural solutions to control storm water, such as planting trees, building rain gardens and installing vegetation on their roofs.

“We want the community to drive what they want to see,” said City Beautiful H2O Program Manager Claire Maulhardt. “Our vision is to be a key facilitator in helping find partnerships, link it up with potential funding and be that player in moving the pieces around to make projects happen.”

County Tax Unchanged

Dauphin County residents will see no change in their county tax rate for a 12^th straight year, as the county commissioners voted last month to hold the line on property taxes for 2017.

The three-commissioner board voted unanimously to pass a $249 million county budget, which increases spending about 2.7 percent over 2016. They moved money from the reserve fund to pay for the higher spending amount.

The county’s budget adds five positions, mostly in the court system, the county’s single greatest category of expenditure.

Homes Sales Up

The Harrisburg area experienced another strong month for home sales, as sales increased 28 percent in November.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors reported last month that sales totaled 738 units compared to 575 units in November 2015. The median price jumped to $169,950 versus $158,000 in the year-ago period.

In Dauphin County, 253 homes sold versus 202 the year before, while in Cumberland County, sales totaled 243 units compared to 185 in November 2015. Median sales prices also were up in those counties.

GHAR coves all of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties and parts of Lebanon, York and Juniata counties.

Changing Hands

Balm St., 59: Broad Street Funding Trust 1 to D. Ford, $47,500

Boas St., 408: G. Eby to T. Fuller, $80,000

Calder St., 118: River Front Development Group LLC to Lynch Financial, $135,915

Cumberland St., 257: 717 Properties LLC to CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown II LLC, $68,000

Cumberland St., 259: 717 Properties LLC to CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown II LLC, $62,700

Derry St., 1439: Greene Mosca Associates LLC to D&F Holdings, $30,000

Grand St., 926: R. Lyell to M. & D. Soisson, $74,000

Green St., 1717: D. Jackson to T. Holder, $179,000

Green St., 1530: J. MacNamara & S. Huggins, $125,000

Green St., 1622: R. & D. Miller to T. Menard, $87,000

Green St., 1826: J. & M. Desmarais to D. & J. Kalbach, $170,000

Green St., 3208: L. Welsh to G. Arrieta & K. King, $134,500

Hamilton St., 236: BFI LP to T. & R. Broms, $60,000

Holly St., 2018: P. Spong to J. Santiago, $42,000

Hummel St., 234 & 342 and 1508 Hunter St.: CJR Rentals LLC to Equity Trust Co. Custodian Terry Casey IRA, $86,000

Kelker St., 319: J. Marks to Standing Tall LLC, $69,000

Kelker St., 634: Mid Atlantic IRA LLC Paul Rawls Sr. IRA to PA Deals LLC, $40,000

Kensington Rd., 2221: Matz Investments LLC to D. Tran, $46,000

Kensington St., 2340: Redtop Property Management LLC to X. Sanchez Lopez, $43,000

Market St., 1701: H. & S. Yi & CO Suns Food Market to D&F Holdings LP, $30,000

N. 2^nd St., 1317: 717 Properties LLC to CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown II LLC, $58,300

N. 2^nd St., 1709: 717 Properties LLC to CPenn Patriot Properties Midtown II LLC, $61,000

N. 2^nd St., 1825: MidFirst Bank to CPenn Properties Old Uptown LLC, $47,525

N. 2^nd St., 2540: J. Farris to G. McGrath, $125,000

N. 3^rd St., 1402: DJ Larche LLC to Karnouskos & Paliometros Partnership, $92,000

N. 3^rd St., 1606: Anselmo Brothers Partnership to J. Merrill & D. Wilburne, $165,000

N. 3^rd St., 2329: Bank of New York Mellon Trustee & Ditech Financial LLC to CPenn Properties Old Uptown LLC, $37,905

N. 4^th St., 1720: E. Kleiss to J. Duris & J. Gray, $170,000

N. 5^th St., 1621: L. Oden to C. Fuentes & E. Martinez, $69,900

N. 5^th St., 2632: E. & D. Sampson to B. Landrigan, $79,900

N. 6^th St., 2130: N. Matika to Willow Investment Group LLC, $46,000

N. 6^th St., 3220: B. Meppurathu & E. Rosen, $68,500

N. 17^th St., 1202: I. Hooper to W. Freeman III, $36,500

N. 18^th St., 44 & 1164 Mulberry St.: KAB Rentals LLC to M. & I. Ripa, $92,200

N. Front St., 1201: D1 LP & Brickbox Enterprises Ltd. To Linden Terrace PA LLC, $8,500,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 210: D. Forney to N. & D. Burke, $72,000

Peffer St., 435: L. Blanton & R. Parr to K. Kessler, $80,000

Penn St., 1625: S. & P. Fraser to W. Yankey, $132,500

Penn St., 1919: WCI Partners LP to A. Brofman, $136,000

Rudy Rd., 1827: Gary Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to S. & B. Duncan, $39,200

Rudy Rd., 1920: John Hoover Trust to R. Carter II, $54,000

Rumson Dr., 345: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development & Information Systems Networks Corp. to A. Tenorio, $60,000

Seneca St., 245: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development to CPenn Properties Old Uptown LLC, $59,500

Showers St., 583: A. & C. Stoudt to M. & V. Chambers, $92,000

S. 18^th St., 169: T. Casteel to R. Irvis, $60,000

S. 18^th St., 200: A. Behari to J. Valdez Ramos, $160,000

S. 18^th St., 1339: J. & L. Patton Jr. to R. & C. Soto, $40,000

S. 25^th St., 608: LSF9 Master Participation Trust to T. Vu & A. Tran, $36,000

S. Cameron St., 414 & 436: 44 Cameron Street Associates LP to D&F Holdings Inc., $100,000

S. Front St., 331: L. Brice to A. Wycheck, $75,000

State St., 211: Paceline Properties to H. Sreg LLC, $296,500

State St., 231, Unit 804: LUX 1 LP to C. Houck, $169,900

Susquehanna St., 2132: P. Dobson to J. & C. Sanderson & A. Pletcher, $31,000

Taylor St., 42: J. & A. McHale to D. Hodges, $103,900

Author: Lawrance Binda

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 29, 2016 | by Sara Bozich

The final Weekend Roundup of 2016 – How ’bout that?

Cheers to the New Year.

We lay pretty low with a tradition of massages and pedicures during the day (which used to be followed by Fusion Fire sushi, so not sure what we’ll do this year). However, a few years ago, I began a tradition of throwing a small New Year’s Day shindig-slash-hangover symposium for close friends and family.

I’ll be detailing that in an upcoming post, so stay tuned.

Hey, while you have a minute, please take our End of Year Survey to help us improve!

Check out all of our New Year’s Resolutions — and share yours!

What are you doing this weekend?

Sunday

108 Sun Salutations at om my yoga
New Year’s Day Brunch at Baron von Schwein
New Year 5K & 10K at City Island.
HSHA Penguin Plunge
Sunday Bloody Sunday at JB Lovedraft’s.
New Year’s Day Brunch at The Mill in Hershey.
Little Amps – Green St. location – is OPEN.
Acappellus360
Flinchy’s has its annual Pork & Sauerkraut Buffet PLUS Eagles play Cowboys and Steelers play Browns.
Roaring 20’s New Year’s Day Brunch at The Sturges Speakeasy

Rather have this via email each week?

Don’t see your event listed? Post it in the comments below. Want to be featured in the future? Submit your events here.

Parking Update: Meters Unchanged, Garage Rates Up for 2017

December 28, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

The cost of street parking in Harrisburg will remain unchanged next year, though garage parking rates will go up again, parking officials said today.

Starting Jan. 1, parking in the 11 garages and lots controlled by Park Harrisburg will cost $10 for up to two hours, up from $9 currently. The monthly rate for garage parking also will increase, with most garages costing $10 a month more to park.

At a public meeting earlier this month, John Gass, the director of parking manager Trimont, said that Park Harrisburg would need to raise some of its rates to continue to meet bond payments and make revenue projections.

In addition to holding the line on street parking, Park Harrisburg today said it would not raise the cost of parking violations, which will remain $30 a ticket if paid within four working days.

In a related story today, PennLive’s Christine Vendel reported that Park Harrisburg officials initially wanted to increase street meter fares by 50 cents per hour and violations by $5 per ticket. However, they backed away from the proposal following strong objection from the city, she reported.

Author: Lawrance Binda

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 22, 2016 | by Sara Bozich

Well well — Christmastime is here again.

Tonight, Andy and I are making peanut brittle, a Surra tradition, before we embark on a weekend of gatherings, get-togethers and travel.

What are you doing this weekend?

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Holiday Rundown: Harrisburg announces holiday events, parking, trash collection

December 20, 2016 | by Danielle Roth

What do you want for Christmas?

If you’re a Harrisburg resident or visitor, chances are good that free parking is high on your wish list. Well, that wish is granted, as the city’s parking manager today announced that street parking will not be enforced on Dec. 24, 25 and 26.

“Though Saturday is not an official city holiday, Park Harrisburg will suspend ticketing enforcement activities for everybody planning to visit the city for the holiday,” said Nancy Keim, senior manager of SP Plus.

Parking enforcement then will resume as normal, though street parkers will not have to pay on Jan. 1—but only because New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday.

Coming into the city for New Year’s Eve? Mayor Eric Papenfuse reminded drivers today that they can use the code “LUVHBG” with the Pango app for four hours of free parking on Saturday.

Also, parking garages will cost a $10 flat rate for Dec. 31. Drivers can park there all night while enjoying the city’s celebration downtown.

And what about that celebration?

Things start early for the kiddos, as the Gamut Theatre’s Popcorn Hat Players’ annual celebration begins at 11 a.m. with a play and a balloon drop at Whitaker Center.

For the adults, the official fun begins at 9 p.m, with light refreshments and the music of Jimmy Lawrence at Harrisburg city hall. Across the street, Harrisburg Young Professionals and the Hill Society will present a New Year’s Eve party at the Hilton Harrisburg.

And, as has become a central PA tradition, come midnight, a giant strawberry will drop from the hotel, followed by fireworks, to welcome the new year.

Aaron Johnson, the city’s director of Public Works, said his team will be ready to clean up after the holiday mess.

Speaking of which: Trash collection will be delayed a day during the weeks following Christmas and New Year’s, both Sundays. So, if your trash is normally collected on a Monday, the city will collect it on Tuesday, and so forth, Johnson said.

During the week after Christmas, Public Works will accept extra trash loads without a fee, an exception to the rule. In addition, during the entire month of January, residents can place Christmas trees to the curb for compost collection, according to Johnson.

For more information on city-sponsored events and schedules, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov or www.explorehbg.com/holiday/.

Author: Danielle Roth

“Missed in the Shuffle”: Harrisburg School Board reviews 100 letters from concerned teachers and students

December 20, 2016 | by Danielle Roth

Some students described their frustrations with working through packets of worksheets rather than following a teacher’s instructions. Some students penned their desire to develop leadership skills. Some wrote about needing to feel safe and appreciated.

More than 100 letters stuffed into four manila envelopes and a folder document these concerns from Harrisburg School District students and teachers. Last month, Harrisburg Education Association President Jody Barksdale delivered the letters to the school board.

At last night’s meeting, HEA Vice President Paul Kornfeld followed up on the delivery.

“There are other things going on in buildings that board members need to see,” he said.

School Board President Danielle Robinson said she will schedule a day off from her full-time information technology contractor position with the state so she can tour the schools with HEA to learn more about the concerns expressed in the letters.

“I read each and every one,” Robinson said.

She wrote a synopsis to give to the board, and board Vice President James R. Thompson received the letters to review.

“Even if things take some time, we are working on it,” Robinson said.

Students want structure, boundaries and discipline, Robinson said, referencing the letters, in addition to concerns about safety, teaching techniques and learning leadership skills.

Kornfeld, a life skills teacher at John Harris High School, said students need more mental health support. The district does not offer the stability and structure needed for students who come from unstable homes, he said.

“These are the kids missed in the shuffle,” he said. “I think students need an avenue to communicate.”

Teachers frequently leave the district, causing students to lose a sense of security, he said.

Board members took a step toward increasing teacher retention last night, though the district continues to search for a full-time human resources director.

Robinson said the board will review employee resignations in executive session. This decision comes after the advocacy of school board member Judd Pittman, who suggested the idea of exit interviews tonight and in past meetings.

“It’s hard to understand what we are doing as a board [without this information],” he said. “It’s like shots in the dark.”

Pittman said he wants to know what caused teachers to leave, but also why the teachers stayed for so long. This information would inform teacher development and support, he said.

Last night, the board approved the resignation of a teacher, an aide and a secretary. More than 50 employees have resigned this school year, according to past meeting agendas.

“An employee evaluation system should be in place,” said Ellis R. Roy, Jr., the chair of the board’s policy and procedure committee.

Author: Danielle Roth

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 15, 2016 | by Sara Bozich

I guess it’s winter, and I don’t know about you but my holiday schedule is completely in gear for this weekend.

Tonight I’m headed to the Jump Street Open House, then off for a little QT with T. After which, I’ll return home to finally decorate the tree.

On Friday, Jimtern and I are headed to York for a mini field trip and cowork. Collusion is on the list, as is ORD.

Saturday morning should be the usual gym + market, but by evening, we’re off to the ballet to see CPYB perform with the Harrisburg Symphony at Hershey Theatre. Then Sunday, it’s a birthday Brunch ‘n Bowl (plus sneaking in the Steelers game).

What are you doing this weekend?

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City Council Passes $65 million Budget Focused on Capital Improvements.

December 14, 2016 | by Danielle Roth

City Council voted 6-1 to approve the 2017 budget yesterday.

City Council tonight approved a $65 million budget for 2017, which largely reflected the budget that Mayor Eric Papenfuse proposed last month.

“The process could not have gone more smoothly,” Papenfuse said after the spending plan was passed.

City Council considered five amendments to the proposed budget before passing it. As a result, the Bureau of Police will receive funding so officers can take eight hours of mental health training. In addition, the general fund and the “host fee,” an annual allotment Harrisburg receives by hosting the regional incinerator, will fund the salaries of a park ranger and a sustainability manager, respectively. Non-uniformed city employees of the AFSCME union will receive a 1-percent raise and bonuses per their agreed upon contract.

Council Vice President Shamaine Daniels proposed an amendment to reduce the salary of the director of the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development from $90,000 to $70,000.

For the past three years, the Capital Region Economic Development Corp. (CREDC) has subsidized Director Jackie Parker’s $90,000 salary. Next year, the city is responsible for her entire salary, though Papenfuse said he is waiting to find out if CREDC will kick in $20,000 towards it.

Daniels insisted that her amendment was not intended to target Parker.

“This is not about the person in the position,” said Daniels, stating that the salary is about $20,000 more than the salaries of other departmental directors. “This is about the city’s position financially.”

Her budget amendment failed 6-1, with only Daniels supporting it. Daniels then voted against the budget as a whole, which was approved 6-1.

Overall, the budget largely reflected what Papenfuse proposed last month during his budget presentation.

As per capital expenditures, the Bureau of Police will receive new Tasers for every officer and the deployment of 303s on every shift. A 303 is an impact device shoots lead paintballs. With an extended range of 55 feet, the 303s can mark individuals for apprehension in a protest.

The budget also funds body cameras for every officer, as well as two new positions—a public safety information technology specialist and a crime analyst.

The new budget also gives $130,000 to the Bureau of Fire to replace a straight truck and to upgrade inspector vehicles.

Other infrastructure spending was approved for projects such as traffic signal upgrades, accessibility improvements per ADA requirements and streetlights.

City Council tonight also passed a tax bill, which will keep the city’s property tax rate unchanged for 2017.

Author: Danielle Roth

“New Beginning”: Harrisburg Council OKs nonprofit structure for Broad Street Market.

December 13, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg’s historic farmers market was given the all clear to transition to a nonprofit entity tonight, as City Council approved a lease and management agreement with the soon-to-be-formed Broad Street Market Alliance.

Though not on the agenda, a resolution to enter into the agreement was approved by a unanimous vote after council brought it up from the floor.

Market Manager Beth Taylor, who attended tonight’s meeting, said the management agreement will allow the market to enter a new era, able to tap into grants reserved for nonprofits and raise funds more easily for upgrades and improvements.

“I find this to be an exciting time,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the future to see everything that the market is able to do.”

“This is big news on the Broad Street Market,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said after the meeting. “The new Alliance will be able to start out completely fresh.”

Papenfuse said that market leadership already is eyeing a $100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that would allow it to make critical repairs. The grant, he hopes, will be awarded in springtime.

Before approving the agreement, council passed an amendment that will give council members or representatives two seats on the Alliance’s 15-member board of directors.

Currently, those streets are residential permit parking for the Marketplace neighborhood, though most of the effected blocks are lightly developed. Having been introduced, the resolution likely will be voted on by council next month.

The market also plans to form a group called Friends of the Broad Street Market, which will assist the board in raising funds and will participate in other efforts to support the market.

“Now the real work begins,” said Chris Herr, president of the current, for-profit board. “There’s lot of work to do.”

The first order of business, he said, will be organizational—dissolving the current Broad Street Market Corp., officially becoming the new, nonprofit Broad Street Market Alliance and naming board members.

“It’s very appropriate to the new year that we have a new beginning,” Taylor said.

Author: Lawrance Binda

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Cheers to the New Year.

What are you doing this weekend?

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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