Municipal News

Last Updated on Saturday, 30 January 2016 19:55

By Michelle Taylor

At a recent Elizabeth Twp. Meeting, the new board president was voted in - congratulations to Rob Rhoderick. The new vice president was voted in as well – congratulations to Joanne Beckowitz.

The following motions were passed. The motion to appoint Matt Racunas to handle all township labor and and contract issues for a flat rate of $2,500 per month, the motion to approve the Bill Warrant dated January 4, 2016 in the amount of $220,323.57, the motion to continue use of Northwest Savings Bank as the township depositories, the motion to approve payment to Mele and Mele and Sons in the amount of $344,455.79 from the Liquid Fuels Fund, the motion to ratify the emergency tree removal at Blythdale Park to the lowest bidder Tim Vasko in the amount of $700.00. The motion to install a stop sign on Fleming Drive, the motion to approve Gray Watson invoices in the amount of $57,870 for the township wide demolition project, the motion to approve Swede Construction final pay in the amount of $38,595 for the Patterson Bridge Project, and the motion to purchase a portable light generator from Best Line Equipment for the Pa State Contract price of $8,140.20.

President Rhoderick had a concern regarding the recreation board. He says they have a credit card bill of almost $50,000 for items such as Vera Bradley purses, Wine and Spirits, and other expenses. Rhoderick wants to take letters of interest for a new recreation board, eliminating any commissioners, and giving a budget because last year $645,000 was spent last year, which was over budget.

John Castine of the road department would like to thank the Central Volunteer Fire Department for the use of their ladder truck to allow the public works crew to cut down a tree on Happy Hollow Road.

John Snelson of the code enforcement states the software is up and running and are using it for complaints and violations. They will start using it for regular permits.

Chief Kerestes of the police department, informed the board that there were 460 events logged into the system by Allegheny County 9-1-1. The township logged 10 adult arrests, 4 juvenile arrests, 20 traffic stops with 4 traffic citations issued, 10 motor vehicle crashes with 5 being reportable and 5 being non reportable with 2 injuries resulting from the crashes.

Bryan Churilla of the engineering department states that they received two quotes for the televising of the 57 inch storm sewer on Victory Avenue. Robinson Pipe Cleaning estimated $285 per hour for 8 hours and a total of $2280 to do the work. The other quote came in from Insight Pipe for a lump sum of $1450. They accepted the offer.

Township manager Harry Faulk states he met with a representative from West Penn Power to have the street lights converted to LED. The last contract expired in 1988 and signed in 1978. The only way to know the cost is to sign another 10-year contract with West Penn Power, submit what lights to replace, and their engineers will look at the lights and then submit their cost to the township. Since there are over 800 lights, it would take a few years to transition them all over and since it has been almost 30 years since a contract, it might be done for free. Once all the lights are converted, the estimated annual savings would be over $50,000 a year which is one of the highest bills being paid. Currently, the township spends roughly $130,000 per year for the street lights.