Municipal News

Last Updated on Friday, 28 October 2016 23:55

By Jill Brown

The Donora Council meeting on October 13, 2016 made several resolutions regarding grants for much-needed funds. Borough Administrator Dennis Fisher read each one as council made motions on the agenda. Also, events for upcoming activities planned were reviewed and discussed.

Some of the grants applied for included:
• Under the sanitation committee, approval of the 2017 Community Development Block grant fund for $44,800 to use for the Donora Farmers’ Market and Senior Citizens Park at the intersection of McKean Ave. and Seventh St.
• Approval of a Local Share Account application by the Donora Public Library requesting funds for an addition onto the library building to store the archives of the Donora Historical Society by authorizing the Donora Council President to carry out the resolution.
• The submission of a Local Share Account grant application requesting funds to repair or replace fifty storm water catch basins in the Borough.
• The submission of an application by the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer for a grant to repair basins.
Regarding the Donora Senior Center, Mr. Anthony Massafra, a former Donora mayor, said, “No one ever asked the seniors if we can be of any help. Please, Mayor, take the seniors’ ideas into consideration.”

President of Council Dennis Guiterez answered, “I’ll get together [with Council] and discuss our options.”

A matter long on everyone’s minds was the debate over the towing services in the Borough. During a vote, Council amended to eliminate local businesses and use the services of the Donora Volunteer Fire Company. Council took into consideration that recently the fire department purchased a commercial tow truck.

Lastly, scheduled events and activities were discussed. The activities scheduled are as follows:

1. Donora will host the 2016 Veterans Day Parade and it will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at 3 p.m. You may buy a star to put your veteran’s name on the street for $5. Contact Edith Jericho at 724-823-8068.

2. A Mon Valley jobs opportunity meeting is to be held on Wednesday, November 16 at 6 p.m. in the Donora social hall. Jason Fincke of the Builders Guild will speak about employment opportunities in the union building trades. Councilman John Conger said, “I consider this an important thing for all Mon Valley residents, even those [who are] employed, as they can look for better employment.”

In other business, Mayor Donald Pavelko stated, “Mark Sutherland passed away. I went to school with him. As a long-standing Borough worker, he will be missed.”

Guiterez concluded, “I would just like to say that I’ll miss him, too. You have to admire people like that… He dragged himself to work no matter how he felt.”