Children up and down the valley in Lackawanna County look forward to Santa's arrival each year, but not just by sleigh.
Santa and Mrs. Claus visit several area communities each year on the Santa Train. In December, "Christmas in a Small Town" was celebrated in six communities - and Mayfield hopes to be the seventh next year. The borough is looking into the feasibility of building a train station for the upcoming year after qualifying for a Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority grant.
The borough will be required to match the $10,000 LHVA grant, Councilman George Pittsman explained, noting that the total price should be about $20,000.
"We're really hoping that in March the council will be able to allocate the money," he said.
There are already plans for the 20-by-40-foot train station at Lackawanna Avenue and Chestnut Street, Councilman Jim Depoti said.
"The majority of council is in favor of the train station," he said. "It's something that can be added to the community that will be aesthetically valuable."
The station could also be used for civic gatherings, scout meetings and other functions, he added.
"We were fortunate enough to get a grant," Mr. Depoti said, explaining that he was confident council would allocate matching funds. "I'm sure they will. If we have to take donations and take fundraisers, we will have a train station."
It will take about two months to construct the station, and Mr. Depoti is confident the station can be ready by December.
Councilman Donald Mosely remained cautiously optimistic about the project, citing budget concerns.
"It's all contingent on how our finances work out this year," he said. "We're still trying to nail down final numbers."
He said financial problems with Don Wilkinson Agency, the borough's former tax collection agency, contributed to some of the fiscal questions.
The borough also took out a $300,000 loan to help fund an elevator in the Borough Building, recreational facilities, refinance debt and pay a $95,000 settlement to employee Phyllis Jaskowiec, who sued the borough for wrongful termination in November 2011.
"I hope it will be a reality, but it's something that has to wait its time and see," Mr. Mosely said.
Though the wheels have yet to be set in motion on the construction, Mr. Depoti said it was a borough addition he was passionate about.
"We are doing what all people should be doing - making a better life and a happier environment for the children of our community. It's not for us; it's for the children," he said. "Our time has passed. The children's time is now."
Added Mr. Pittsman, "Hopefully the guy in the red suit will be stopping in Mayfield next year."
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter