Emsworth quits COG

Emsworth officials have decided to cancel the borough's membership in the Quaker Valley Council of Governments as a cost-cutting measure, but the savings may not last long.

Borough council member David Heflin said that 2010 dues would run $1,600-$1,900, a sum council member Amy Adams said could be better put toward balancing next year's budget because the borough does not use any of the services that come from being a QVCOG member.

The QVCOG is made up of 14 municipalities between Bellevue and Leetsdale. It provides cost savings for its members by allowing joint bidding on contracts for such services as garbage collection and cable franchises, as well as commodities such as road salt.

Although Emsworth obtained road salt from another source this year, the borough has benefitted from the garbage collection and cable franchise servi-ces. The garbage collection contract lasts through the end of next year, according to Emsworth Council member Paul Getz.

Emsworth will not be able to participate or benefit from any of the QVCOG services if it is not a member, according to QVCOG director John Jakiela.

Only member communities have access to federal grant monies from the Community Development Block Grant program, something Getz said Emsworth seldom uses because of restrictions on what projects qualify.

One-way Wilson?

Deterioration along Wilson Road in Kilbuck could mean the street will become one-way in the near future.

Kilbuck engineer Rob Arnold again reported to township supervisors at their meeting Tuesday that only a geotechnical study would reveal why a 30-35 foot section of pavement is failing. It would cost $26,000 to test the street, he said, or $13,000 to test at least the problem area.

Supervisor John Fader said that he suspected the street may need another retaining wall, which he said would cost $300,000 or $400,000.

"Why ask a question if you can't afford the answer?" he commented regarding the geotechnical study proposed.

Fader suggested setting up Jersey barriers along the failing pavement and monitoring the area over the next year. That option, however, would cut off some 10 feet of the road's width and limit vehicles traveling the street.

Supervisor Susan Merkner stated that the danger in putting off the geotechnical study is that the problem could get worse, and more expensive to repair.

The supervisors agreed to look into what funding sources might be available for repairs before deciding whether to go ahead with the testing.

Parking lot paving

Bellevue will spend $34,133.35 from bond funds to have the T.A. Robinson company pave the parking lot adjacent to the borough hall.

Council unanimously approved a motion to that effect at the Oct. 28 pre-council meeting in order to get the work done before asphalt plants close for the winter.

Council member Mark Helbling was absent.

Northgate personnel

The Northgate School Board made two personnel decisions at the board's regular meeting on Oct. 19.

Heather Persson was hired as a long-term substitute teacher at the middle/high school for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year.

Brandon Hogle was hired as an adjunct substitute teacher for the remainder of the school year.

More sewer repairs

The sanitary sewer along West Bellevue Station continues to be a problem, with a second repair needed at a cost of some $22,000.

Bellevue engineer John Rusnak told officials at Wednesday's pre-council meeting that Avalon and Bellevue boroughs had shared the cost of fixing two areas of the joint sewer line, and now are being required by the Allegheny County Health Department to repair another break a couple hundred feet downhill from the first problem areas.

Bellevue Council unanimously approved a motion to hire Fleming Walker to perform the work. Each borough will contribute $11,000 to the cost of the project.

Council member Mark Helbling was absent.

Fee refund

The Applebee's restaurant chain will be receiving a refund of more than $30,000 originally paid to Kilbuck Township for sewer tap-in fees.

The restaurant was to be constructed on the former Dixmont State Hospital property along Route 65, but a major landslide ended development plans at the site.

The Kilbuck Supervisors voted unanimously at their meeting Tuesday to rescind the Applebee's planning module and refund the fees. Solicitor Chuck Means said that Applebee's must pay a $500 administrative fee before the fees will be refunded.

Avalon to salt roads

Kilbuck Township once again will have the Avalon street crew salt and plow state roads in the township this winter, despite criticism from one resident.

Roosevelt Road resident Janice Burns said that she was forced to call the state four times last winter because of icy conditions on her street, and she did not want Avalon to perform the work again this year.

"They did not do a proper job," she told the Kilbuck supervisors at their Oct. 27 meeting.

Township secretary Harry Dilmore, who also is the manager of Avalon Borough, said that a problem with improper water drainage created problems on Roosevelt last year, but that problem hopefully has been corrected by the state.

"Let's see if it works," Dilmore said.

The supervisors voted unanimously to have Avalon care for the state roads in the township, Avalon will be paid by the state.

Fire marshal

Emsworth Volunteer Fire Company Chief Mike Adams will serve as fire marshall for Kilbuck Township through the end of this year.

Resident Tom Tomaro told Kilbuck supervisors at their meeting Tuesday that with the township's volunteer fire company disbanding, Kilbuck would be left without a fire marshal. Adams said that although the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's office will conduct investigations, it will not handle code enforcement issues.

Fire service to Kilbuck is being handled jointly by the Emsworth and Ben Avon volunteer fire companies, which each cover half of the township. The supervisors discussed having the current fire marshals from those boroughs cover their respective districts in Kilbuck. Adams serves as the Emsworth fire marshal, but no one knew who Ben Avon's fire marshal was. Adams agreed, at the request of the supervisors, to serve as fire marshal for all of the township until January, and his appointment was approved unanimously by the supervisors.

Speed check

Speeding on Roosevelt Road in Kilbuck may not be as popular as it once was.

After a resident complained to township supervisors last month that drivers were traveling too fast on the road, Ohio Township Police stepped up patrols and speed checks.

Police Chief Beaver Micklos reported at the supervisors' meeting Tuesday that officers had issued 28 citations to drivers on Roosevelt in the past month.

Quality of Life meeting

Avalon's Quality of Life Committee will meet on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.

The meeting was announced by committee chairman Patrick Narcisi.

Emsworth quits COG,/strong>Band trip
The Northgate School Board authorized the Northgate marching band to participate in an educational forum at Disney World.
The trip will take place Feb. 21-27 at no cost to the district.

Elevator inspection

Marshall Elevator Company was hired to inspect and certify the elevator at Avalon Public Library.

The work will be done at a cost of $573.