Work on the veterans memorial in the small park between Washington and Fifth streets in Walnutport is about to ramp up.

Borough grant coordinator Michael Wentz said Thursday that the concrete work and cleanup from tree removal is expected to start Monday morning.

Wentz said the borough has gotten an “overwhelming response” with regard to in-kind services, so that the borough’s 50% match of the grant is totally covered.

“That whole entire project is going to be zero (cost) to the borough,” Wentz said. “The resolution for the money of the grant is written for the borough; the grant money is not going away.”

Wentz added that the grant money will be satisfied by Dec. 1.

Last month, council agreed to spend an additional $2,700 for concrete work that includes an ADA ramp.

In June, they agreed to spend up to $2,500 for concrete work at the memorial.

Also in June, council received a pair of donations that totaled $3,000 toward the memorial; one a $2,000 check from the Diamond Fire Co., and $1,000 from the Diamond Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary.

Several members of the 2009 Centennial Committee attended a council meeting in April to discuss the use of about $11,000 that was set aside in the Centennial fund for improvements to the memorial.

Committee member Doneta Merkle told council at that time the wish of the Centennial Committee is for those funds to be used toward the memorial.

The project has to be completed by December.

Michael Kukitz, who served as executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority until he resigned in March, previously obtained the grant for $23,983, funded by a grant through the Northampton County Livable Landscapes Program, Northampton County’s Open Space Initiative.

The work will include the removal of trees and putting in new decorative trees, flagpoles, benches, lighting and improved access to the memorial.