Chief search
A police officer who lives in Avalon told borough officials Tuesday not to look too far from home for a new police chief.

With current Chief Robert Howie set to retire this year, council hired a consultant to conduct a search and recommend candidates for his replacement.

Offcer Paul Myers told council at its Jan. 19 meeting that some residents believe Avalon does not have officers competent to take over the chief's job. That was not true, he said, as evidenced by the department's recent investigation that resulted in a raid on a borough home, where drugs were confiscated.

"I think we should look into our own people," Myers said, especially because they know the town and its problems.

Safety Committee chairman Patrick Narcisi said that he shared Myers' assessment of the police department, and hoped council's decision to conduct a wider search for a chief was not being interpreted as a lack of respect for the officers.

"We think we owe the borough to at least see what kind of candidates we can get," he said.

He also commended the department on the recent drug bust, stating that they could have passed the information on to the county police and walked away, but instead chose to develop the case and conduct the raid at a time when police officers are coming under attack on calls.

"There can be only one reason they did -- that was for us," Narcisi said.

Northgate technology
Parents of Northgate students should have received a telephone call recently as part of the testing of the district's new Global Connect program.

The system will automatically contact parents with necessary information when it is put into effect in the near future.

School board president and technology committee chairman Susan Nolan said that the testing indicated that about 8 percent of the telephone numbers on record were invalid. Parents will receive a letter asking them to supply correct phone numbers and giving them the opportunity to include additional or alternative contact numbers.

Nolan also reported that the internet-based "Parent Portal" will open this semester for parents of children in grades 4-6. Parents should be receiving a letter soon regarding the program.

Also on the technology front, Nolan said that federal stimulus funds had been used to purchase 30 computers for students in grades 3-6.

No volleyball
Avonworth School Board president David Oberdick said at last week’s work session that because of a lack of interest, the district will not have a boys' volleyball team this year.

Oberdick said at Monday's board work session meeting that the district did not have a coach for the position, and that the number of students interested in playing has been decreasing.

He said that no one attended an informal meeting regarding the team, and that players from last year's team had been contacted and said that they were not interested in playing this year.

Oberdick said there was a possibility of participating in a co-op boys' volleyball program with Northgate.

Bookmobile move
In an effort to encourage residents to take advantage of the Allegheny County Bookmobile, Ben Avon Council president Lloyd Corder said the borough was considering moving the service closer to the coffee shop, which is housed in the same building as the fire department and NorthWest EMS.

Currently the Bookmobile stops in front of the borough building, about a block up the street.

Corder said the move could benefit both the Bookmobile and the coffee shop, adding that there is room for emergency equipment to come in and out of the building. The borough may install signs to prevent people from parking in those spots during the time the Bookmobile is scheduled to be there.

Corder said he would talk with someone from the Bookmobile about moving the service to the new area immediately.

Connection problems
Technical problems with Avonworth School District's Global Connect emergency alert system are being worked out, an official told board members on Monday.

Superintendent Dr. Valerie McDonald said that there were a few problems with the system during the recent school cancelation.

She said that some people did not hear the entire message because it is too short, so administrators are going to lengthen the message. Others, she said, might not have gotten the message if the phone they use has a ringback tone that plays music. She said that the system thinks the music is a voice, and automatically starts the message.

She also said that some people were pressing the pound sign, which she noted cancels the message.

Board member Patrick Stewart reminded parents that they needed to let the district know when phone numbers change.

Chief searchEmsworth committees
Emsworth Council's various committees for 2010 were announced by president Maria West.

The finance committee will be chaired by borough treasurer Rebecca McNeil, with West as a member. Council member Dave Heflin said he was concerned that only one elected official was on the committee, when two council members are on other committees. West said that his concern was noted, but that the committee would not change for the time being.

The borough property committee will consist of chairman Ken Kroen and member Paul Getz.

Connie Taylor will chair the personnel and public works committee. Amy Adams also will be on the committee.

The parks committee will be chaired by Adams, and Heflin will be a member.

The public safety committee will consist of Mayor Dee Quinn, West, Police Chief Beaver Micklos and Fire Chief Mike Adams.

Heflin will chair the pump station construction committee. Adams and council member Dan Lenz also will sit on the committee.

The roads and sewers committee, which will be chaired by Getz, will include Kroen.

Lenz will chair the zoning and ordinance committee, with Taylor as a member.

Heflin will chair the Allegheny County Boroughs Association and Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs committee, with Quinn as a member.

The earned income tax committee also will be chaired by Heflin, and will include West as a member.

The fire consolidation committee will be chaired by Quinn, with Getz and Kroen as members.

Surcharge extended
The third and final reading of an ordinance that will extend Avalon's sewer surcharge until March 16, 2014 was unanimously approved Tuesday by the borough council.

The surcharge was set to expire in March of next year, but officials determined that it needed to continue in order to repay a PennVEST loan that funded mandated sewer repairs.

Council member Dave Dixon was absent.

Pension contribution
Avalon Council voted Tuesday to approve the borough's contribution rate to the employee pension fund at 5 percent.

Borough manager Harry Dilmore said that the law allows officers to set a lower rate, but officials would risk the possibility that there would be a shortfall at the end of the year that would have to be made up from the borough's general fund.

The higher contribution rate was recommended by actuaries, Dilmore said.

The rate was approved in a unanimous vote at council's regular meeting. Council member Dave Dixon was absent.

Girls running
Two programs for girls were approved by the Northgate School Board at its Jan. 18 meeting.

Magee Hospital was given permission to hold the "Girls on the Run" program at both elementary schools, and the "Girls on Track" program at the middle school.

Both programs are designed to help girls stay fit and healthy and boost their confidence and self-image.

Consulting service
An agreement for consulting services was authorized by the Avonworth School Board at its regular meeting on Monday.

The board unanimously authorized entering an agreement with Elaine Barron for consulting services for the high school English program at $50 per hour for four days. Two days will be paid with Title II funds.

Board members Peter McKay and Jeff Schmid were absent.

Fire fund
As part of the agreement with Kilbuck Township, Ben Avon and Emsworth boroughs each receive $13,000 per year from Kilbuck for providing shared fire service. Ben Avon Council discussed at its Tuesday meeting the idea of putting approximately half of the money it receives from Kilbuck into a separate, interest-bearing account to be set aside for major capital expenditures.

Solicitor Charles Means said such an expenditure would include purchasing a new vehicle or apparatus. The remaining money would be used for general operating expenses.

He said the account would be held by the fire department, but the bank would send a statement to both the borough and the fire department.

Emsworth appointments
Emsworth Borough Council appointed a number of people to various positions at its regular meeting on Jan. 13.

Council reappointed Drew Potoski and Walter Kenderski to the planning commission. Both terms will expire on Dec. 31, 2013. Dan Lenz also was appointed, with a term ending Dec. 31, 2010.

Laura West and Paul Getz were reappointed to the Avonworth Community Park Advisory Board. West was unanimously approved, while Getz was approved in a 4-2 vote, with council members David Heflin and Lenz opposed. Council also accepted the resignation of Jennifer Beck from the board.

Council president Maria West said that Emsworth needs two more representatives on the advisory board.

Council member Amy Adams was absent.

Beattie reps
Two Northgate School Board members have been named to represent the district on the Northern Area Special Purpose School (Beattie)Committee.

Named were Gary Paladin and Dr. Shannon Smithey.

Park signs
Improvements will continue at Avon Park, with the most recent upgrade including three signs for the park. Ben Avon Council voted unanimously Tuesday to purchase the signs, which will be made by Precision Sign Company.

Council member Brian Tokar said the cost of $2,620 will be covered by grant money. Additionally, the borough will save $600 by having public works foreman Dale Regrut install them.

Intern wanted
Avalon will apply for a college intern to help out in the administrative offices next summer.

An application for the Local Government Academy program was approved by the borough council on Jan. 19. An intern could cost Avalon $4,300, but scholarships are available.

In the past, interns have been used to work on special projects and with general administrative tasks.

Conferences
Northgate School District staff members were given permission by the school board to attend two upcoming conferences.

Carol Lipke and Terry Taylor will attend the annual Attendance/Child Accounting Spring Conference in Hershey March 17-19.

Joseph Peacock will attend the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development conference March 6-8 in San Antonio, TX.

Teacher workshop
The Avonworth School Board has authorized two people to present a workshop to new teachers.

Paulette Hemmings and Elaine Barron were hired to present "What it Means to be an Avonworth School District Teacher" on Jan. 19, as part of the districts induction program for new staff members.

Each will be paid $150.

The workshop was approved at the board’s Jan. 18 meeting. Board members Peter McKay and Jeff Schmid were absent.

Conference
Avalon borough manager Harry Dilmore will attend an executive development conference Feb. 25-26.

The maximum $600 cost of the conference was approved unanimously by Avalon Council at its Jan. 19 meeting.

Avonworth personnel
The Avonworth School Board made a number of personnel decisions at its regular meeting on Monday.

Cortney Norris was hired as a teacher at the elementary school.

Aaron Allen was hired as a long-term substitute teacher at the elementary school. Amy Besterman was hired as a mentor to Allen for the second semester.

Barbara Loney was hired as an elementary specials area grade level team leader.

Melissa Higgins was hired as a long-term substitute teacher at the elementary school, retroactive to Nov. 30. Marnie Arnold was hired as a mentor for Higgins.

Frank Molchen's assignment as a long-term substitute teacher at the high school was extended through the second semester of this year.

Emily Wolff was hired as the middle school Technology Student Association (TSA) sponsor.

Robert Griger was hired as a long-term substitute custodian, retroactive to Jan. 4. He replaces James Avondolio, who resigned.

Charles Rupert was hired as a day-to-day substitute custodian, retroactive to Jan. 6.

Custodian Jim Rosenberger was approved to take Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave beginning Feb. 2.

A request made by Barbara Bauer to rescind her previously-approved intermittent FMLA leave beginning Jan. 4 through the end of the 2009-10 school year also was approved.

The board approved the resignation of Scott Miller as the middle school math club sponsor.

Board members Jeff Schmid and Peter McKay were absent.

Trips approved
The Avonworth School Board authorized two people to accompany Ski Club members on a trip to Killington Ski Resort in Rutland, VT.

Valerie Constantino and club sponsor Jason Kekseo were authorized to take 20 students on the Feb. 18-21 trip. Costs to the district include a substitute teacher for two full days.

The board also authorized a number of students to be absent for two days in April. The 30 students will attend a non-school sponsored event in Wildwood, N.J.

Board members Peter McKay and Jeff Schmid were absent.

Facilities use
The Northgate School Board voted unanimously at its Jan. 18 regular meeting to approve the use of school facilities by several groups.

The Avonworth Soccer Association will use the gyms at Bellevue and Avalon elementary schools when they are available between Jan. 4 and March 22.

The Bellevue Avalon Baseball Association will conduct skills evaluations at the Bellevue Elementary gym on March 6, 8 a.m. - noon, and will practice in the Avalon Elementary gym Monday through Friday, 5-9 p.m., from March 15 through April 9.

A fund-raiser by the Bellevue PTO will be held in the school's gym on Feb. 25, 4-9 p.m.

The North Shore Titans will use Northgate's batting cages when they are available.

OLSH will play a make-up basketball game in the high school gym on Jan. 25. The boys' basketball boosters will hold their banquet in the high school cafeteria on Feb. 27.

The board ratified the use of the Bellevue auditorium for a "movie day" on Jan. 18 to raise funds for the Winter Ensemble.