Content about Robert McTiernan

02.11.12

Emsworth solicitor Robert McTiernan told the borough council Wednesday evening that an agreement has been reached to get a nuisance property cleaned up and back on the tax rolls.

McTiernan said that numerous citations have been issued to the owners of 4 Grant St. for a variety of property maintenance problems. Additionally, the owners had not paid property taxes, and ultimately declared bankruptcy.

The solicitor said that the owners have agreed to pay the borough $3,000 and to the demolition of the property, the lien of the demolition costs, and the sale of the property.

06.10.11

Contract delayed

Approval of a new contract between Emsworth Borough and Ohio Township for police services has been delayed while Emsworth officials review a clause that has been part of the police services contract for many years.

A motion to approve a new contract was tabled at Wednesday’s Emsworth Council meeting after council member Alex Nalevanko questioned a termination clause that, he said, appeared to provide no limit to what Emsworth could be charged if the borough broke the agreement. He suggested limiting the amount to whatever is remaining due in the contract at the time of the breach.

02.11.11

Street opening ordinance

Emsworth Council will consider a revised street opening ordinance that will put the borough in a "more defensible" position when it comes to enforcement.

The proposed ordinance reduces the area of newly-paved streets that must be resurfaced by anyone -- such as a utility company -- that digs up the roadway. In an effort to preserve the street surface, officials originally considered a proposal to require repavement of the width of the street some 50 feet on each side of the opening.

08.13.10

Street opening review

Emsworth Council will revisit the borough's proposed street opening ordinance after receiving some cautionary advice from the solicitor.

Council was ready to adopt a new ordinance that would require contractors digging into a newly-paved street to replace not only the area excavated, but the pavement all the way across the street and for 50 feet in each direction from the street opening.

06.11.10

Permits decided

Emsworth Council agreed to keep permit costs at a minimum in order to help a new farmers market succeed in the borough.

Solicitor Robert McTiernan told council members at their meeting Wednesday that the borough's ordinance is sufficiently vague and contains a number of exemptions to the fee provisions, giving council a great deal of latitude in enforcing the provisions.

01.22.10

Officials disagree over payments to councilman member

An Emsworth Council member is threatening to take action unless more than $5,000 is repaid to the borough by a fellow member of council.

Council member Paul Getz was paid $5,260 between April and August of 2009, representing salary for working on various projects in the borough. The number excludes his monthly $100 stipend for serving on council. None of the payments were preauthorized by council, according to council member David Heflin.

09.11.09

News Briefs

Emergency repair An emergency repair to a lateral sewer line near the Emsworth borough garage was approved by Emsworth Council at its regular meeting on Wednesday.

The repairs will cost some $37,000.

According to council member Paul Getz, the Allegheny County Health Department notified the borough that the sewer line was leaking into Lowries Run Creek.

Council unanimously authorized the repairs.

Council members Ed Politylo and Rob Bennett were absent.

Solicitor named