By Jamie Wiggan
-Kennedy-
During Kennedy’s Oct. 8 business meeting, commissioners read aloud two letters from residents expressing gratitude for township services.
Anna Marie Pope submitted a “note of great appreciation” to township officials after requiring medical attention in August.
“Recently I needed to be transported by ambulance from Heritage Valley Hospital to [UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Oakland],” she wrote.
‘…When I was informed that this service is taken care of for our seniors by the township, I was overwhelmed by how great this was… Thank you sincerely. Thanks to the paramedics that took great care of me that afternoon.”
According to Treasurer and Interim Manager Mel Weinstein, the township pays for senior residents to enroll in a membership service with Northwest EMS ambulance service.
The program kicks in after insurance deductions, further reducing patient out of pocket costs.
Weinstein said the township used to front membership costs for all residents but was forced to limit the service to seniors when the pricing increased last year. Non-seniors can still enroll in the program but must pay out of pocket.
Resident and former township solicitor John Zagari penned a letter singling out Weinstein for helping address a drainage issue affecting his property near the intersection of Clever Road and Maple Lane.
“This area has always been an issue when it rains heavy.”
Zagari said the issue has been much improved since a relief pipe was installed at Weinstein’s instigation after the flooding caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2003.
“Water used to back into my property, washing away mulch and leaving a mess.”
Zagari added that he recently saw Weinstein directing road department workers during a period of heavy rain ahead of plans to replace the pipe, which has since sustained damage.
The township recently secured a $287,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to do this work which is expected to begin in the spring of 2021.
Oxygen tanks
In other news, the commissioners approved an agreement with FNB Bank to finance 24 self-contained breathing apparatus (SBCA) tanks costing $163,790, to be paid back over seven years at 2.5% interest.
Robert Ligouri, Kennedy’s volunteer fire company president, requested the township’s assistance with securing the agreement during the Sept. 10 business meeting.
He said federal regulations require the tanks to be replaced every 15 years and noted the company’s current equipment expires in February.
Salting
Commissioners also approved an agreement with Allegheny County to receive $9,514 for salting and plowing Herbst and Ewing roads during the upcoming winter season.
The county regularly forms such agreements engaging municipal road crews across the region to clear county-operated roads on a seasonal basis.