Mount Gretna resident’s $20,000 donation funds Stevens Ave. paving

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A street in Mount Gretna will be resurfaced this spring thanks to a sizable donation of funds from someone who lives there.

Bill Care, the borough’s director of public works, told Mount Gretna Borough Council in his report on April 14 that Stevens Avenue will be paved during the second week of May.

In January, Care said a resident on Stevens Avenue donated $20,000 to redo the street in front of his house. The cost estimate ended up being less than $10,000, but the man told the borough they could keep the remaining funds to do more roadwork.

“We didn’t ask him — he offered to donate money,” Care said in January. “[His street] wasn’t that bad, and it’s not like we didn’t have the money to do it. We were planning on doing it.”

Read More: Mount Gretna council discusses 2025 parking passes, future road projects

Martin’s paving will provide the necessary manpower. Council member William Kleinfelter said they will likely close off access to the road during construction for worker safety and because of the large equipment.

Later in the meeting, the council denied a request from a resident wanting an accessible parking spot to be designated for their address on Pennsylvania Avenue. Solicitor Keith Kilgore said they cannot assign a spot to be accessible for only one person — if someone else with a placard wants to park in the spot, they would be allowed to do so.

Council members also said the resident is not in the borough year-round, and they have a steep trek with dozens of steps to their cottage, making them question the need for a handicapped parking spot.

In other business: 

• The council approved 216 Pennsylvania Ave. as a short-term rental.
• Care announced Western Lebanon County Regional EMA, which they have worked with for years to get emergency plans for their community events, is going to be absorbed by the county-wide organization when the leader of the volunteer-run group, John Breive, retires in about a year. Care said someone with the county organization will attend the next council meeting to answer questions about the change. He and Kleinfelter said they’re looking to send something personal to Breive to thank him for the years of service.

The Mount Gretna Borough Council will meet next on May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Hall of Philosophy, 212 Gettysburg Ave.