Municipal News
- Last Updated on Thursday, 08 August 2013 17:00
Peters Township Council Meeting – July 8, 2013
By J.R. Brower
The mood at the July 8 Peters Township Council meeting became very melancholy after it was announced that long-time council member Robert Atkison passed away at his home the day before.
By J.R. Brower
The mood at the July 8 Peters Township Council meeting became very melancholy after it was announced that long-time council member Robert Atkison passed away at his home the day before.
Robert Atkison
|
Council Chairman Frank Arcuri led the group in a minute of silence to honor the 81-year-old Army veteran who served on council for 22 years.
“You always knew what you were getting from Bob,” said Arcuri, “I appreciated his sense of fair play and respect for others. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace him. His presence on this council will be sorely missed.”
Atkison was also very active with the Peters Township VFW Post 764 Ambulance Service having volunteered there for 30 years. He presently was serving as its assistant director. Most members of the ambulance service are now paid, and it is said that when offered a salary, Atkinson turned it down. He was active in other township organizations as well.
Council member James Berquist said that the name Atkison began with the letter “A”, and it was appropriate, because he was an A+ man. He said Atkison made his stand perfectly clear on the issues and explained very well why he had his opinion.
“He was a true advocate for the township and an ally to the many organizations he supported. Peters Township has lost one of its greatest citizens,” Berquist said.
Council member Robert Lewis agreed that “he let you know where he stood”. He called Atkison both plainspoken and outspoken, and said that “he always fought for what he thought was best for the township”.
Council member Monica Merrell said tearfully, “He always supported me as his vice chair. He will always have a soft spot in my heart.”
Council member David Ball said, “The township has lost one of its greatest citizens.”
Township Manager Michael Silvestri said, “Bob Atkison’s heart was to do whatever was best for the township. He loved his family, the ambulance service and the township.”
The former mechanical engineer and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh leaves behind his wife Anna of 54 years, four children, eight grandchildren and one just-born great granddaughter.
In other business, Peters Township Council:
• Set a public hearing date of September 16 at 7:30 p.m. for the Comprehensive Plan for Peters Township. The plan will be an appraisal of where the township hopes be in the next 10 to 20 years. Input from officials and residents will be taken at the hearing before a final comprehensive plan is approved by council.
• Acknowledged receipt of correspondence from PennDOT stating that the township will be paid $44,263 for 2013-2014 winter road maintenance on 19 miles of state-owned roads in the township. The amount is about $2,000 more than last year.
• Acknowledged payment of $100,000 to the Canonsburg Lake Restoration Project, which had been agreed upon previously.
“You always knew what you were getting from Bob,” said Arcuri, “I appreciated his sense of fair play and respect for others. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace him. His presence on this council will be sorely missed.”
Atkison was also very active with the Peters Township VFW Post 764 Ambulance Service having volunteered there for 30 years. He presently was serving as its assistant director. Most members of the ambulance service are now paid, and it is said that when offered a salary, Atkinson turned it down. He was active in other township organizations as well.
Council member James Berquist said that the name Atkison began with the letter “A”, and it was appropriate, because he was an A+ man. He said Atkison made his stand perfectly clear on the issues and explained very well why he had his opinion.
“He was a true advocate for the township and an ally to the many organizations he supported. Peters Township has lost one of its greatest citizens,” Berquist said.
Council member Robert Lewis agreed that “he let you know where he stood”. He called Atkison both plainspoken and outspoken, and said that “he always fought for what he thought was best for the township”.
Council member Monica Merrell said tearfully, “He always supported me as his vice chair. He will always have a soft spot in my heart.”
Council member David Ball said, “The township has lost one of its greatest citizens.”
Township Manager Michael Silvestri said, “Bob Atkison’s heart was to do whatever was best for the township. He loved his family, the ambulance service and the township.”
The former mechanical engineer and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh leaves behind his wife Anna of 54 years, four children, eight grandchildren and one just-born great granddaughter.
In other business, Peters Township Council:
• Set a public hearing date of September 16 at 7:30 p.m. for the Comprehensive Plan for Peters Township. The plan will be an appraisal of where the township hopes be in the next 10 to 20 years. Input from officials and residents will be taken at the hearing before a final comprehensive plan is approved by council.
• Acknowledged receipt of correspondence from PennDOT stating that the township will be paid $44,263 for 2013-2014 winter road maintenance on 19 miles of state-owned roads in the township. The amount is about $2,000 more than last year.
• Acknowledged payment of $100,000 to the Canonsburg Lake Restoration Project, which had been agreed upon previously.
