Bellevue, Avalon and Ben Avon have approved application for grant funds and matching expenditures for a study to determine how signage may be improve the boroughs, with Ben Avon’s vote on the reluctant side.

Each of the three municipalities will have to contribute about $1,600 towards the study.

Approved by Bellevue Council at its June 14 meeting, the project was approved by Avalon Council in a 6-1 vote and Ben Avon Council in a 4-1 vote on Tuesday.

Ben Avon Council member Rob Galbraith objected to the grant application being submitted by Bellevue on behalf of all three boroughs without the other councils having any say.

"I need to know what we're (agreeing to), I don't want sign overkill in Ben Avon," he said.

Council member Sue Weiss asked if the decision could be put off until next year. "If (way-finding signage) is what the planning commission is saying is a high priority, I'd like to see a line item in next year's budget and I'd vote for it. I think cooperation (between the boroughs) is great but we should see how this works."

Council president Lloyd Corder pointed out that if and when the application is approved, and everything is finished and any money received, it will be 2012.

Council member R.J. White said that $1,600 may not seem like a lot of money, but it depends on who benefits most from it. "A majority (of the signage) will be in Bellevue and Avalon. Ben Avon residents shouldn't have to pay for a restaurant sign in Bellevue." He continued, "If this is going to be an equitable system, let them pay for the majority of the cost."

Weiss said she believes "we need to respect the (planning commission) agreement. Michael Bett added that by not passing it, Ben Avon was "not being a good neighbor."

Council approved the resolution authorizing application for the grant by a vote of 4-1, with White opposed and Brian Tokar and Judy Konitsney absent.