-MEETING NOTES-
CORAOPOLIS – Council voted unanimously at a Feb. 1 meeting to pay Woltz & Wind Ford for a 2023 Ford Police Interceptor. Cost of the all-wheel drive hybrid sport utility vehicle is $40,400.
The 2011 police vehicle formerly used by the chief of police will be repurposed for the Water Authority to use when meter reading, said Council President David Pendel.
Last year, the borough was unable to purchase a replacement police vehicle because none were available. Production had decreased dramatically due to supply chain issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Feb. 8, council voted unanimously to approve the use of the eastern side of the Gazebo Lot on Thursday, May 4 for a National Day of Prayer Event and to approve the use of Shelley Jones Memorial Park on Saturday, Aug. 19 for a Gospel Explosion fundraiser for CFW Cancer Support Group.
At the same meeting, the borough amended Ordinance 1249 to prohibit parking on the east side of Fleming Street from the northerly line of Ridge Avenue to the southerly line of Woodland Street.
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CRAFTON – Council voted Feb. 9 to amend an EMS contract which was entered into in September 2022.
The contract was amended to remove the portion where Northwest EMS uses Crafton Borough facilities to house EMTs and store vehicles. The contract runs through Sept. 30, 2027.
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MCKEES ROCKS – At the Feb. 7 workshop meeting, council discussed the emergency demolition of three homes on Olivia Street at a cost of $19,500. A fire occurred in that block of Olivia Street on Dec. 4.
Council Member Maryann Holland suggested a citizen’s committee form to determine what should be done with the vacant Sto-Ken-Rox Boys & Girls Club site. In November, The Josh Gibson Foundation was awarded a $2.2 million grant to renovate the space. This move had been approved by the board.
Meeting observer Samantha Levitzki-Wright, a resident and Sto-Rox School Director, asked why the move was necessary when the Gibson Foundation was already involved.
Holland said others might be interested in the site as well, and she wanted what was “best” for the property.
Additionally, Council Member Frank McQuillan suggested the borough purchase a drone for examining abandoned properties, saying that it would be safer for the Code Enforcement Officer. No decisions were made, but the other members agreed to consider the idea.
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ROBINSON TOWNSHIP – In addition to opening access to the Clever Park pool to residents residing within the Montour School District, several other changes are noted for the 2023 season.
These changes include allowing guest passes for Robinson residents, the return of summer swim lessons back and certifying on-duty lifeguards.
Jenn Yuvan, director of parks and recreation, said during the Feb. 6 township meeting they will be partnering with a physical education teacher at Montour who is a former aquatic director certified to be able to certify the Robinson pool lifeguards.
Additionally, Yuvan said she started work in December on staffing the pool for the 2023 season. Maintenance on the first-aid room at the pool is ongoing.
In other Robinson news:
• The Robinson Library received a donation from the family and friends of the late Thomas Lynch allowing the library to purchase 22 new large print books for its collection. Lynch, who died in December, was an avid reader of the library’s large print collection.
• Ray Gastner is retiring after 18 years of service with Robinson’s Public Works department. Gastner served on the union negotiating board for the last several negotiations.