-CORAOPOLIS-
By Dianne Stuckmann
Coraopolis council members are seeking to move all voting locations to the Cornell High School gymnasium.
However, no change is expected before the November election. The move must first be approved by the Allegheny County Elections Department.
During the Sept. 8 council meeting, Councilman Robb Cardimen said the school's gymnasium can accommodate all residents of the borough's four wards and meets the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. He also indicated school officials concur with the plan.
“We should have done this a long time ago,” Cardimen said.
Currently, Ward 1 residents vote at the Army National Guard Recruiter office on 5th Avenue, while Wards 2 and 3 residents vote at the VFW Veterans Center on Mulberry Street and residents of Ward 4 vote at the Coraopolis Municipal Building on 4th Avenue.
“This would put everyone in one building,” he said, easing demands on poll workers.
Speeding issues
Coraopolis is taking steps to improve traffic safety on Vine Street in response to an impassioned plea from resident Chad Kurzdorfer, who made his case during council’s Sept. 8 meeting. Kurzdorfer told officials speeding cars had damaged or totaled six of his vehicles and a retaining wall just six feet from his home since he moved in 10 years ago.
“My kids can't even play in their own yard,” Kurzdorfer said, referring to his three children ages seven and under.
He estimates that vehicles often travel three times the 15 mph speed limit on Vine Street.
In response, officials took immediate steps to improve traffic safety there, but they stopped short of committing to speed humps.
Solicitor Richard Start was directed to draft an ordinance to add stop signs along Vine Street at Ridge, Vance and Edgewood streets and Devonshire Road to slow traffic. A traffic engineering study may also be conducted, depending on cost, to evaluate the need for speed humps at the top of Vine Street.
David Pendel, council president, offered assurance that the issue will be addressed.
“We hear you loud and clear so there's going to be some action taken,” he said.
In other news:
• Council gave the green light for $362,900 in roadwork and waterline replacement along Wood Street. Jet Jack Inc. of Oakdale was awarded the contract to repave Wood Street between Hiland and 7th avenues, add handicapped accessible ramps on Hiland Avenue and replace water lines and stormwater catch basins. Borough Manager Ray McCutcheon said the project will be paid by federal infrastructure funds and the Coraopolis Water and Sewage Authority. “There will be minimal cost to the borough,” McCutcheon said. Work is expected to start in October.
• One hundred existing street lights along Ridge, Vance, Hiland, 6th and 7th avenues will soon be replaced by new LED lights, according to McCutcheon. The Duquesne Light LED Grant Program will cover the $60,000 cost to upgrade, while the borough will pay the $10,000 installation costs. Street lights along 4th, 5th and State avenues and Maple Street have already been replaced with LED lights. Light-emitting diode (LED) products are energy and cost-efficient.
• Applications are being accepted for a zoning board vacancy. Council members accepted the resignation of Theo Collins at the Sept. 1 workshop meeting on account of his recent relocation. The three-member committee renders decisions regarding variances and exceptions related to construction. Interested candidates can submit their resume to the borough manager at manager@coraopolispa.com.
• The Coraopolis Shade Tree Commission will host a CoryCares beautification day from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sept. 25. Volunteers will meet at 1st Avenue and Broadway at 9 a.m. to remove trash along 1st Avenue to State Street. Free childcare available. Register by Sept. 20 at CoraopolisSTC@gmail.com.