Municipal News

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 March 2017 00:30

By Charlotte Hopkins

Before the Jefferson Hills expansion on sanitation moves forward, another meeting will be held for review.

Both sides have viewed and commented on subjects, such as, the construction path and the need for a lid. Council president, Lew Miller, wants to make sure West Elizabeth has a voice in the project, since our community will be effected by the project. Participants expected to be at the meeting include engineers, Gateway, WESA board members, and representatives from both West Elizabeth and Jefferson Hills.

Miller also answered questions he received about the construction of the new sanitation plant. Building permits will be supplied for the line work. They will oversee the area around the construction site to protect neighboring homes. Anna Flemming was appointed as an inspector for the project. Her cost is $88 an hour. Only one side of Market Street will be closed during construction. When First Street closes, it will go down to a single lane with flaggers. Businesses along that road will be informed in advance to give them time to prepare. They are “trying for as little community disruption, as possible.”

In other news:

The town council will claim imminent domain over several vacant mobile homes. This will grant them the ability to remove the homes.
Paul Perlick was appointed to the vacant seat on the board of the West Elizabeth Sanitation Authority (WESA).
Councilman Ray Dodds requested a sign warning drivers coming into West Elizabeth, from Elrama, that the speed limit drops. Without the sign, drivers who receive a ticket can contest it in court.
Council has not yet chosen a local dog catcher/animal control officer. They have received several bids and will make a decision at the March council meeting.
The next Story Time party is scheduled for March 15 at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Gilbert will be in attendance at these parties to assist and to meet with residents who wish to talk about community problems and concerns.
Councilman Ray Armstrong called for asphalt to be laid on First Street. He stated they have fixed it with cold patch enough times and that it is time for a more permanent fix. This will be considered after the completion of the sanitation plant.
Code Enforcement Officer Bill Wolfgang will contact West Penn Power to see if they will be able to remove the trees around the power lines at the First Street playground. West Penn Power has often been called out in the past to trim the trees when they grow around the lines. For West Penn to remove the trees altogether will save the company money and time in the future.
Complaints were also heard regarding pet owners allowing their dogs to go to the bathroom in the parks and not cleaning up after them. Miller stated that he is on this board to try and improve the community so if there is a problem with the dogs then they have to address it. Take a photo, if you see dog owners allowing their pets to make a mess in the park and leaving it behind, so that council can try and do something about it. Miller went on to say, “Let's not just blame everybody or tell somebody to do it. Everybody get involved.”
Miller was reminded that there is also a problem with geese going to the bathroom in the baseball field and that last year, they spent $300 to clean it. Miller stated, “We've got a bunch of kids that hang out at the park, that go to this church, and kids that play down there, so if we can prevent those geese from getting there, it's worth it.” There are no dogs allowed in the baseball field.

Additionally, Officer Dan Verno informed council that the police department has received complaints from residents about people riding quads at a high speed on Water Street. The quad drivers received permission from Mon River Supply to ride on part of their property. However, Verno and fellow officers have warned them not to drive quads on the road. It is illegal and they will enforce this.

Officers told quad drivers that they have to stay on the grass side of Water Street and must drive slowly. The Elizabeth Borough Police feel they have given enough warnings about this and future violators will have their quads seized and may possibly receive a fine.

Mayor Gilbert and the solicitor for the town council are worried about the safety of riding along Water Street and possible lawsuits that may come from accidents. They prefer that no quads be driven through town at all. The Solicitor stated that, for the record, the council does not want them to ride their quads in town.