FORD CITY -- Borough officials have decided to allow Cricket Communications to put antenna equipment for cell-phone service on top of the borough's water-treatment plant on the Ford City hill. Council voted at Monday's public meeting to approve signing an agreement with the service provider. Proceeds from the 5-year lease with Cricket will bring the borough added income. "By doing things like this, we can keep the tax rate down for the borough's citizens," said Councilman Tim Malec. Neither council nor a representative from Cricket attending the meeting would disclose how much the borough would be paid for the deal. Officials said Monday that the financial information would be made public after Cricket officials sign off on the contract. However, in discussing the borough's tentative budget for this year during a council meeting in December, borough officials said then that the agreement could provide a $10,000 sign-in bonus and an annual payment of about $20,000. It is not known if those were the final terms of the deal. In other business, council: • Announced PennDOT would be opening bids in Harrisburg on Thursday for the Ford Street renovation project. • Announced that the cost of garbage pickup is being reviewed and that recommendations would be made at next month's meeting. • Announced that renovations for the borough's water plant are being mandated by the state's Department of Environmental Protection. Details and costs will be announced at a future public meeting, council said. • Approved an amendment to the parking ordinance prohibiting parking on the east side of Second Avenue. "We're taking the view that parking on Second Avenue is a safety issue," Malec said. • Approved an agreement with Susan Lasher Thompson for her to provide accounting service for $1,500 per month. • Granted permission to Ford City Emergency Management Coordinator Greg Dinko to conduct an emergency warning test by setting off the siren at 9 a.m. on March 13. • Accepted a donation of a photograph of the 1908 Ford City Council members. Former councilman John Rudosky made the presentation on behalf of Trimarchi family, owners of the photo. • Heard Armstrong School District Director James Solak address the issue of school consolidation and new buildings versus renovation of existing buildings, along with cost comparisons, particularly in regard to the proposed closing of Elderton High School. "I'm here to make you aware that communities will suffer economically if we consolidate," said Solak, an opponent of consolidation and proponent of smaller, community schools. "There is no reason to close Elderton or any school."

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