Board OKs road changes, funding

The Harrisburg City Board voted to change the name of a road that at one time served as a route connecting Dorris Heights with Liberty allowing passage to Carrier Mills.

The once new, four lane highway that would become "new thirteen," a road that once connected St. Mary's Drive and Lover's Lane, lost its right of way.

The new highway cut the road, now named Leberman Drive, in two to make way for progress. Now a dead end that stretches only a few blocks has a new name. The board on Thursday renamed the stretch of road a continuation of St. Mary's Drive.

The meeting continued with discussion about the city's Revolving Loan Fund from Southeastern Regional Planning.

The fund allows the city to lend money to new businesses coming into the city of Harrisburg as a way to build commerce.

There are currently 18 businesses in the city that have taken advantage of the opportunity totaling $1.48 million. The fund still holds nearly $300,000 that can be used for city growth.

The Revolving Loan Fund report was voted on and approved by the city board.

Plans to tear down the building at the corner of Poplar and Vine streets have been secured and demolition starts Jan. 18.

Fire Chief John Gunning, who has spearheaded the initiative, says that Monday makes an ideal day as there is no school due Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday will alleviate the need for traffic for the Learning Alternative School.

Also on the agenda was a proposal for a new Water Department internet based payment and bill tracking system called Paymentus.

This new venture will allow Harrisburg City water users to check, monitor and pay their bill online. The system also allows for automated email or phone call reminders that bills are due.

This would not replace the current system completely, but will allow for a more convenient way to handle city water business.

No decisions were made, at the present moment, on moving forward with Paymentus but was slated to be discussed further at the next board meeting.