-ROBINSON-
By Alice Crow
Robinson Tax Collector Michael Pendel has acquired a permit for the demolition of a long-vacant 1880s farmhouse located on property he owns on McCormick Road.
Pendel now has one year from March 31 to demolish the structure which has been cited as a safety concern by John Richnavsky, a resident of Waterford Drive.
Starting in December, Richnavsky has repeatedly called upon township commissioners to take action against Pendel to secure the property he believes is built upon an abandoned coal mine and poses a safety concern.
The demolition will be at Pendel’s expense.
During the April 4 commissioner’s meeting, where Richnavsky was again present, he encouraged commissioners to put up a no trespassing sign on the property.
“Without that sign you may be liable,” he said.
Manager Frank Piccolino also addressed another of Richnavsky’s longtime concerns during the meeting: the rock pile between Route 60 and Waterford Drive. According to Piccolino, the owner of the rock pile has been asked to build a retaining wall to resolve safety concerns.
Public works
Assistant Manager Dan Manius, hired in January 2021 to oversee public works projects, has tendered his resignation.
“The ideas he brought were unreal,” said Piccolino. “We’re sad to see him go.”
Commissioner Ron Shiwarski assured those in attendance that a slate of public works projects on the docket for 2022, including renovations to the field at Burkett Park and an expansive road program initiative announced in March, would continue on schedule despite the departure.
The township plans to roll out its largest road improvement program in recent years once schools close for summer in early June.
The work will be completed by Mele & Mele & Sons, Inc. for $562,277.90. In March, the commissioners remarked that the price of the renovation was small for the number of roads included, and they discussed keeping some funds in reserve in case of a price increase due to external circumstances, like the recent increase in gas prices.
“These are the most roads we have ever done during my time,” Commissioner Kenneth Kisow said.
A list of 16 primarily residential roads slated for improvements are as follows:
• Kathleen Drive, from Phillips Lane to the cul-de-sac
• Mars Drive, from Venus Drive to the dead end
• Neptune Drive, from Aiken Road to Mars Drive
• Venus Drive, from Aiken Road to Mars Drive
• Burkett Park Road, from McCormick Road to Steubenville Pike
• Plainview Drive, from Petrie Road to the cul-de-sac
• Devassie Road, from the Bradley Center to Route 60
• Diebold Road, from Ellen Drive to the Driveway of 104 Diebold Road
• Hickman Road, from Trotwood Drive to the dead end
• Juanita Drive, from Philomena Drive to the cul-de-sac
• Elizabeth Street, from Lewis Avenue to the dead end
• Groveton Park, from Pittsburgh Street to the dead end
• Briarleaf Drive from Thorncliffe Drive to the dead end
• Calvin Drive, from Norfolk Drive to the cul-de-sac
• Planet Way, from Route 60 to the dead end
• Valley Road, from Planet Way to the dead end