Final approval
A fire services agreement covering Kilbuck Township received final approval earlier this week.

Already approved by the borough councils of Ben Avon and Emsworth, the Kilbuck Township Board of Supervisors added their unanimous support at their regular meeting on Aug. 25.

With the undermanned Kilbuck Volunteer Fire Company disbanding effective Sept. 1, firefighters from Emsworth and Ben Avon will respond to calls in the township, splitting the coverage area in half. Kilbuck will pay some $26,000 for the service.

The supervisors also approved an expenditure of $500 to hold a picnic in honor of the township's firefighters.

Supervisor Susan Merkner was absent from the meeting.

Parking lot paving
Bellevue may be able to pave the parking lot adjacent to the borough hall after all.

Council member Linda Woshner said at the Aug. 26 pre-council meeting the finance committee decided that the borough does have enough funds for the project.

Officials had held off on the project until the borough found out exactly how much it would cost to renovate the borough hall.

Public works supervisor Tony Barbarino estimated that the project would only take a few days, and said it could be completed before the asphalting season was over.

The borough will request specifications and advertise for bids.

Snow removal bids
The Kilbuck Township Supervisors have decided to seek new bids for winter snow removal and street salting, given a potential conflict of interest that could arise in January.

Tom Tomaro of Diamond Landscaping -- which currently holds the township contract for the work -- is currently the sole candidate on the ballot for the supervisor position that will be decided in the November general election.

At their Aug. 25 meeting, supervisors Russ Hardiman and John Fader voted to advertise for bids for one-, two- and three-year periods beginning with the 2009-10 season. Supervisor Susan Merkner was absent.

New trees?
One member of Bellevue Council has suggested that Bellevue replace the trees that once provided a buffer between a Ross Township neighborhood and the cinder lot at Memorial Park.

The trees, reported to be filled with poison ivy, were removed as part of a lot clean-up ordered by Ross Township following complaints from neighbors.

Council member Linda Woshner said that the area remains "unsightly," with ugly Jersey barriers, tree stumps and one dead tree remaining.

Woshner pointed out that Bellevue's new zoning code requires landscaping buffers to protect Bellevue's own residential neighborhoods from parking lots and commercial areas, and the same consideration should be given to Ross residents.

"I think we should be good neighbors," Woshner said.

Public Works supervisor Tony Barbarino was asked to develop a recommendation for the area and report to council's parks and recreation committee.

Vacancy
Kilbuck is looking for someone to take a seat on the township's zoning board.

The board of supervisors voted Aug. 25 to accept the resignation of zoning board member Tom Poff.

Tennis court upgrade
The basketball courts at Memorial Park are not the only area of the park that could see improvements. Bellevue officials plan to include funds in next year's budget for renovations to the tennis courts as well.

Some $17,500 received from logging at the park has provided a nest egg for improvement projects, among them the resurfacing of the basketball courts. Now officials would like to replace the tennis courts nets and posts at a cost of about $2,000.

Officials discussing the project at the Aug. 26 pre-council meeting agreed to include funds in the 2010 budget.

Curve parking
Bellevue officials are considering prohibiting parking on a bend on West Riverview Avenue.

"It does create a pinch as far as cars getting by," said Police Chief Matt Sentner at the Aug. 26 pre-council meeting.

Sentner said that the parking amendment being considered would eliminate a maximum of about four spaces.

Northgate personnel
The Northgate School Board made several personnel decisions at a special meeting Aug. 24.

Elizabeth Mohr was hired as an assistant seventh grade girls’ basketball coach for the 2009-10 school year and will be paid $3,527. She will replace Anthony Barron, who resigned.

The board hired Kathy Dragone as a kindergarten teacher at Bellevue Elementary.

Jane Majerac was hired as a forensics coach for the 2009-10 school year and will be paid $1,122.

Katie Greco was approved as an adjunct substitute teacher.

The board also announced the resignation of Sandra Eggar as a nurse assistant at Bellevue Elementary.