Getting Victory Park prepared for the borough's upcoming sesquicentennial celebrations next year was the main topic of discussion at Monday's Slatington Parks & Recreation Commission meeting in borough hall.

Member Dave Schnaars first asked Chairman Robert Stettner whether or not money had been set aside in the budget for improvements and purchases for 2014, such as sand for the volleyball court.Other members chimed in about other improvements needed at the park, including picnic tables and benches that need to be replaced, or at least repaired and painted."We are going to use the park," said member Jon Rinker, "so we've got to make it (nice)."He suggested that perhaps a sesquicentennial charter group may take on that particular improvement as its project.Schnaars advised that, either way, the commission should still get prices and place it in the budget. He also said the roof of the pavilion needs to be replaced and painting done there, such as to the benches. Stettner noted, too, that the swing sets may need to be repaired or even replaced.Schnaars suggested a comprehensive plan be set up soon for the park, particularly for where the gazebo used to be located. Rinker said he'd love to see a band shell there.The commission also noted that a small triangle of land along Main and Grove streets at Victory Park, where the old Pennsylvania Power and Light Corporation substation was located, has recently been donated to the borough by PPL.Rinker, who said the space may be used for parking, chuckled that, "After all these years, it completes our park."Stettner then said his notes showed that the PUC needed to sign off on the $1 transfer agreement, and Schnaars added that closing is set for Dec. 6 of this year.The commission also said that banners along the General Morgan Bridge will soon come down so that Christmas decorations can be put up. Stettner noted that local residents and businesses, through Northern Lehigh Future Focus, had donated money toward the decorations."This will be the first year we'll have decorations on that bridge," said Rinker, explaining that different light standards had necessitated the purchase of new decorations that mount differently than the old ones.In addition, April 19, 2014 was announced as the date for the Annual Slatington Clean Up Day.