More work on the veterans memorial project in Walnutport will take place, with the remainder to start back up in the spring.

Resident Ricky Smith asked council at its workshop session on Thursday about the status of the memorial in the small park between Washington and Fifth streets.

“I’m just concerned that you’re not going to close it out in time,” Smith said.

Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz said that borough engineer Jason Newhard will redesign the scope of the work so that the borough can close out the grant before the end of the year.

Wentz said it would then look to start the remaining work back up again in the spring.

Mayor Wayne Weidner expressed some displeasure with the trees that have been planted.

Wentz said the remainder of the work this year entails installing weed barrier and mulch, and staking down trees.

In the spring, she said there will be new topsoil, dressing down the rest of it, and putting in the benches and flagpoles.

Borough officials in September were told to re-evaluate their budget for the veterans memorial project.

At that time, Sherry Acevedo, Northampton County Parks and Recreation Division conservation coordinator, told council she has some concerns regarding the grant for the veterans memorial in the small park between Washington and Fifth streets.

Acevedo said that paperwork listing work that’s been completed on the memorial needs to be more detailed, so that the project is compliant.

She then suggested that council should ask Lindsay Taylor, executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority, for assistance because of her background.

Taylor, who was also in attendance at the meeting, told council she was available to assist them in whatever manner she can.

Councilwoman Jennifer Wentz noted at that time that the memorial work is being paid for through a combination of money from private and public donations, moneys from the Centennial Committee, as well as in-kind services, so that the borough’s 50% match is totally covered.

The grant money will be satisfied by Dec. 1, as the project has to be completed by December.

In July, council agreed to spend an additional $2,700 for concrete work that includes an Americans with Disabilities Act ramp.

That came after council agreed in June 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.

Michael Kukitz, who served as executive director of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority until he resigned in March, 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.