City News
City News
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1September 2006
Messages from the Mayor
Personnel Changes
It has been more than six months since our last newsletter. This was due to the fact that two administrative staff members both left at the same time. Betsy Bell (Clinger) married on Thanksgiving Day, 2005 and moved to Dubois. Judy Charlesworth left for a better career opportunity. We want to wish both of them all the very best for the future.
At the same time we want to welcome our new administrative staff members. They are Amy Rockwell and Mary Jo Elchik. Amy will be handling the purchasing and accounts payable duties as her primary responsibility. Mary Jo will handle receptionist and a wide variety of secretarial duties. Both are residents of Lower Burrell.
Council also accepted the resignation of Lisa Sennett at the June meeting. Lisa was a part time clerk in the Treasurer’s Office for the last 12 years.
We would also like to welcome Michelle Sell, also a resident of Lower Burrell, to the Treasurer’s Office as a part time clerk.
Businesses in Lower Burrell
The business environment in Lower Burrell continues to be favorable but challenging. Over the last nine months since the last newsletter we have welcomed a number of new businesses, seen some expansions and sadly seen some leave.
It is also a pleasure to welcome the following new businesses.
Matisko Wood Crafts
1327 Greensburg Road
Around Back
1155 Wildlife LodgeRd.
Babes Cafe (Reopened under new management)
2709 Leechburg Rd.
Also the owner of Hall’s Pools has expanded to a new location at 3087 Leechburg Road. Also the owner of Coulsons Floral has purchased Hole in the Wall and is combining these two businesses into one. Valley Vet has purchased land along the Rt. 56 bypass with the intent of building a new veterinary clinic.
Work is continuing on the design of a shopping area where the former Gateway Drive In was in Parnassus. The project was given a nice push with the awarding of a state grant called “Business in Our Sites.” This grant is designed specially to accommodate blighted or undesirable sites to make them more attractive and productive.
The expansion work on CrossroadsPlaza is continuing and is now approaching the final design stage. Once completed this project will enhance our Leechburg Road Gateway into the community.
Negotiations are continuing on the former Wards/Penneys site and the developer (Widewater), although not specific says the negotiations are going well and they hope for a breakthrough soon.
Tenants for the HillcrestShopping Center will be announced soon for the old Eckerds and Hello Shop stores according to the developer. Negotiations are active for the former Hills store.
We have also seen some businesses leave and or be replaced. The Hello Shop, Puffs cigarette store, Pay Chex and Ziebart. Ziebert is soon to be replaced with a new owner – Puhlman Machine Shop. Jazzercise is moving into the space vacated by Pay Chex. Also Bruster’s Ice Cream Store is for sale due to the owner’s retirement.
“Shop Lower Burrell First”
New Housing Developments
There are two new housing developments being considered for our city. One is off Craigdell Road where the former rabbit FootLake was located. The design calls for condominiums similar to those by HustonMiddle School. The second is single family homes in the area of Dutchmans Run Road at Rt. 780 which calls for more than 50 new homes. More details on both of these as they become available.
Missing Funds Investigation
The District Attorney is continuing the investigation as to the funds missing from the City Treasury. The auditor’s have completed their work and concluded the missing amount is just over $8,000.00. Our preliminary estimate was up to $15,000.00 so that was good news.
While we are all anxious to solve this mystery, the investigation is in the hands of the proper authorities and they have assured the City Officials that their actions would be taken at the appropriate time. We all, you and me, want to see this concluded as quickly as possible but I certainly don’t understand the complexities involved and ask that we both be patient. The District Attorney has said that the City Officials acted quickly and properly and that the next part was up to him. Hopefully this will soon be behind us.
Signs on Telephone Poles/Street Sign Poles
Posting of signs for garage sales, events etc. is not permitted on any electrical poles or street sign poles. We are asking for your cooperation by not posting these signs. Not only are they unsightly but present a safety risk by obstructing
visibility.
A Message from
Councilman Frank Trozzi
City Parks
Improvements and development are continuing on our 3 major city parks.
Wolf Pack Park - A major portion of the walking trails have been opened for use. A bocce court has been designed by Boy Scout Nick Ciseleski as part of his Eagle Scout Project. Installation should be complete some time next spring so start thinking about those leagues. We are hoping for a significant grant to add a pedestrian bridge at the end of the parking lot that houses the tot lot. Work is continuing to complete the restrooms/concession stand facility. Overall we are approaching $1,000,000.00 in overall grants, donations and in kind services to make this park a reality. It is really taking shape and will be a real asset to add to the “quality of life” in our City.
VeteransPark – (Located behind and adjacent City Hall). New walking trails have been added and the pavilions upgraded. This is an excellent place to have a family picnic but make your reservations now as the pavilions fill up fast for the warmer months.
BurrellLakePark – Major improvements have been made. Pavilions and picnic tables have been upgraded. The walking trail around the lake has been improved significantly. The lake is aerated. The band shell has been redone and the geese are gone hopefully for good. Water and electric has also been added to the upper portions of the park. All these parks offer great opportunities for family get togethers but as stated earlier book early.
Council also has acquired the services of a company called Inside Out. Their purpose is to help us design activities and fund raising to make the parks self-sustaining from a financial perspective. Their first project is to assess the overall community resources to determine the fund raising potential on a sustaining basis. This would be through grants, advertising, user fees etc. We’ll keep you posted as this progresses.
Recycling News
As a result of Act 101, the City was mandated to collect recyclable since 1990. Due economic factors, the City has always entered into a contract with private companies to perform this required service. Typically, the time of day that the contractor is collecting the recyclables on your street does not vary, however, there is no effective way of guaranteeing a set pickup time. In addition, as a method of record keeping, the driver makes a record of when he has completed the collections on each street. In an effort to increase collections and minimize missed collections, please place your recycling container at the curb the night before your scheduled collection day.
Information from the
City Treasurer’s Office
Per capita tax bills are due at face value from September 1st. to October 31st.
School property tax is payable at the discount rate until September 30, 2006.
For those individuals who had extensions for Earned income/Net Profits Tax, October 15, 2006 is the last day to file. We accept federal and State extensions, however, we need a copy of the extension on file in the Treasurer’s Office by April 15th; if we do not have a copy on file, we have no way of knowing that you have a federal or state extension. The Treasurer’s Office also has extension forms you can use. There is a great deal of information on the back of the EIT/Net Profits Tax Finals that are mailed every January, this information will help you when you file your taxes.
Phone the Treasurer’s Office at 724-337-4381 for questions about taxes or sewer billing.
A Message from
Lower Burrell Police Department
Kids in Cars
On May 30, 1998 while sitting on a park bench Michele and Harrison Struttmann were struck by an out-of-control van that came speeding through the park. The van was left running and occupied by two unattended children, ages two and three. At some point the van was knocked into gear which resulted in it traveling into the park and hitting the Struttmann’s. After this tragic incident Terrill and Michele Struttmann founded KIDS IN CARS in an effort to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The message the Strutttmann’s want to send is simple: Children should not be left alone in or around a vehicle, not even for a minute.
Many caring and responsible parents have left their children alone in a car, not realizing the risks involved. Some parents think it is ok to leave a child alone in a car while they run a quick errand or while dropping off another child at school. However, the results of leaving a child alone in a car can be deadly:
• The temperature inside a car can reach
deadly levels in minutes.
• Children can set the vehicle in motion.
• Drivers have difficulty seeing small
children when they back up.
• The child might leave the vehicle to go
look for you.
• Your child can be abducted.
Unfortunately, the Lower Burrell Police department has responded to incidents in which children were injured by playing behind a vehicle, in a driveway, and were struck, and where children were left inside a vehicle with dangerously high interior temperatures. To help prevent incidents like this from occurring KIDS IN CARS off these safety tips:
• Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even to run a quick errand.
• Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway.
• Keys should never be left within the reach of children.
• Teach your child never to play in or around a vehicle.
• Always make sure that all child passengers have left the car after it is parked.
If a child is locked in a car, get them out as quickly as possible; call 911 if needed.
When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.
Please make it your responsibility to follow these safety tips to ensure your child’s safety. And remember, it is illegal in the State of Pennsylvania to leave a child under six years of age unattended in a motor vehicle. If you have any questions regarding this matter please contact the Lower Burrell Police Department and speak with an officer. Also, more information on this topic is available from the KIDS IN CARS organization. Contact them at or 636-390-8268.
Public Works
By Councilwoman Irene Karrs
Street Department
LEAVES, LEAVES AND MORE LEAVES
The age old question of what to do with all of those leaves this fall. We have the answer for you. Bring them to City Hall. Since our street sweeper doesn’t have the capability of vacuuming up leaves, we must ask that you bring your leaves to us. You can bag up all of your leaves, bring them to the back of City Hall and empty the bags into the area marked “leaves.” For your convenience, we have provided a drum in which to place empty trash bags. There is also a place designated for tree branches in the same area. Please remember that it is against City ordinance to place leaves in the street. During any rain storm the leafs can float to the nearest inlet and clog the drain which causes flooding of your neighbors yards.
During recent years the growth of vegetation along City streets has greatly expanded. This growth is beginning to obstruct the view of intersections and traffic signs. It also is becoming a hazard to our truck drivers while we perform snow removal operations. As a courtesy to our residents the Street Department will begin major trimming operations the last week of November. If you wish to trim your own trees and bushes, please be completed by this time. We will be trimming everything back to two feet behind the street curb and up to 15’ above street level.
During recent replacements of failing storm sewers we have found that structures (sheds, buildings, fences, etc.) have unknowingly been constructed over the City’s pipes. Construction of these structures should never have occurred in these locations. These pipes have right of ways or easements surrounding the lines which prohibit the construction of any permanent structure. Prior to building any permitted or even structures not requiring a permit we advise you to contact the City Engineer to check on any City owned utility that might be located on your property.
Sewer Department
We want to address some of the concerns our residents have with regard to the smoke and dye testing that the Lower Burrell Sewer department has been performing in the City for over two years now. This is not something we are doing because we want to; we have been mandated by the Department of EnvironmentalProtection to perform this work. In order to be certain we don’t miss anyone, we have been taking one area at a time for both the smoke testing as well as the dye testing and being very methodical to insure complete coverage. We are also doing this work between our regular maintenance schedules and emergency repairs to the nine pump stations and the 75 miles of lines that the City owns. That’s why it is taking so long to complete this task. We want you to know that when we perform any of these tests you don’t have to be present and the testing is free, in fact you probably won’t even know we were there. You are welcome to call our office at any time to discuss any questions you may have regarding this on-going testing. You can reach our City Engineer, Guy M. Cunningham at 724-889-2007 or our Public Works Secretary, Chris Schubert at 724-889-2008 and we will be happy to answer any and all of your questions.
It seems like in every newsletter we keep telling you of an upgrade or even the elimination of one of our pump stations. Well, we are at it again. The Claremont Pump Station has just recently been eliminated. This station was in need of a total replacement due to age and the deteriation of the steel walls. Our City Engineer performed a cost analysis and determined that it was cheaper to install a new bypass line and eliminate the need for the station. This new 1,200 foot long sewer line was designed by our City Engineer and constructed by the Public Works Department. Using in house labor and equipment will result in savings in construction costs. By eliminating the station there will also be significant cost savings in future maintenance costs. This also will free up our labor force to provide more service to our aging lines in other locations.
Even though our workers are only on the job eight hours a day, we are always on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Should there be a problem with the main collection system; feel free to call us during the day at 724-889-2007 to talk to the City Engineer. Should a problem arise after hours, call 911 and the Westmoreland 911 Center will contact the City Engineer with your problem..
Sewage Treatment Plant Headworks
The municipal Sanitary Authority of New Kensington who treats our sewage has completed the engineering and plans to upgrade the treatment plant to meet mandated Department of Environmental Protection requirements and safety standards. The Authority has done a thorough and excellent job in meeting these requirements and keeping the costs as low as possible.
Beginning next year the plant changes will add about $400,000.00 a year to Lower Burrell’s sewage treatment costs for debt service. This will be a fixed annual cost for the next twenty years. While nobody likes to hear about increased costs, this is an absolutely necessary expendature. We have just started working through the budget process and during that we will determine the exact impact on rates. Our best guess right now will be about $7.00 to $8.00 per month per household. This proposed rate increase will be the first since 2002.
A Message from Public Safety
Councilman Joseph Grillo
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER. AS WE PREPARE FOR THE KIDS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, PLEASE PAT ATTENTION TO THE SCHOOL ZONES AND BUS STOPS FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR KIDS.
Helpful Tips
Smoke Alarms – Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of each structure and in the hallway leading into the bedrooms. Keep your batteries fresh by replacing them twice a year when you adjust your clocks.