After years of pushing for their repair, Minns to see Sullivan’s stairs finally fixed

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — Monday’s meeting of City Council was especially gratifying for Councilor James Minns, who finally received funding for the repairs to Sullivan’s stairs, a project he has strongly advocated for. A rare round of applause broke out following Councilor Kim Dembrosky’s announcement that the Finance Committee had secured funding for the project and repairs had taken their first step toward completion. “I am very happy, Councilor Minns, to tell you that at the finance committee this past week a motion was made to use capital improvement funding to acquire $5,000 to repair Sullivan’s staircase, even though it is not on our agenda tonight because we voted on the bond at a previous meeting,” said Ms. Dembrosky. “The (Department of Public Works) director said he is hoping to have it done before the snow flies but he can’t guarantee it.” Sullivan’s stairs, a structure which may not be well-known to most residents, is a deteriorating stairway named after a former city councilor that connects Pine Street and the Rear Main Street corridor. Mr. Minns said he had included the request for funding on the agendas of more City Council meetings than he can remember, and is thankful that the ball is finally rolling on the project. “This was something that was on the griddle for a long time,” said Mr. Minns. “I’d like to thank the finance committee and the mayor for their help.” Also glad that progress was being made on the project was Councilor Henry Ares, who said it was through Mr. Minns’ persistance that the long-delayed project was made a reality. In a lighter moment at the meeting, Councilor Ronald Cormier joked about the project’s lengthy term on the agenda, which drew a smile to the face of Mr. Minns. “I assume we are going to leave this on the council calendar until such time as we can have the ribbon cutting,” said Mr. Cormier. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 9/16/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 219)