By Bob Podurgiel
Add fireworks to the list of items impacted by Covid-19 and inflation.
Carnegie recently received word that the price of the town’s fireworks display held every year on July 3 at Carnegie Park has more than doubled from $7,200 to $15,000, and the cost increase isn’t sitting well with council.
Council President Phil Boyd said Pyrotecnico, based in New Castle, informed the borough that they had lost a number of employees as a result of the pandemic, and if the borough wanted to have the fireworks display on its traditional date of July 3, they would have to pay double this year.
However, Boyd said if Carnegie moved the event to a date before July 3, the borough would be charged the original price of $7,200.
He recommended the borough move this year’s fireworks display to July 1, and authorize payment of $7,200 to Pyrotechnico for the 2023 fireworks show.
Council unanimously approved the recommendation at its April 10 meeting.
As part of the recommendation, the borough will move the date for future fireworks displays at Carnegie Park to the Saturday before Independence Day occurs.
“We can use the money saved for other needs of the borough,” Boyd said.
Other action items:
• Council voted unanimously to sign a three-year agreement with Scott Township Emergency Medical Services to supply EMS services for the borough.
• Nate Boring of Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C. was appointed borough solicitor.
• Borough Manager Steve Beuter, Councilman Pete Mullins, and Mayor Stacie Riley were appointed as representatives for one-year terms to the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT).
• Council gave approval to the Carlynton Youth Soccer Association to use the Carnegie Park all purpose field three evenings a week through June 1 for soccer practice.