Bellevue will take its proposed 2011 budget down to the wire, with the major points of contention left unresolved despite extensive debate at a special meeting on Tuesday.

Council reached a consensus on only one of three sticking points, that of next year’s garbage fee increase. Major points that could sway a final vote on the budget on Dec. 28 are the sewer surcharge and a raise for the public works supervisor.

Bellevue and Avalon officials who like to talk about joint efforts will have their words put to the test in dealing with a sewer repair project that threatens to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The problem with the West Bellevue Road sanitary sewer is not a new one. A year ago, both boroughs were ordered by the Allegheny County Health Department to make emergency repairs to a broken line that was sending raw sewage above ground. The boroughs then were supposed to submit a long term plan for addressing the decaying sewer line.

It may be warm now, but it wasn’t very long ago that we had snow up to our bumpers. Bellevue Council acknowledged the great job done by the borough’s department of public works with a special proclamation at council work session on Tuesday. Pictured above from left are council vice president Linda Woshner, DPW supervisor Tony Barbarino, and employees Paul Mammay, John Scanlon and Joe Wright.

Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to commend a variety of individuals who assisted me during the recent emergency snow storm. This storm virtually could have stopped the borough services, but several people were instrumental in coordinating efforts so that our borough of Bellevue proved to be a success story in the face of severe adverse conditions.

Mike Bookser (Bellevue) and Fred Fisher (Avalon) for coordinating the emergency operation plan that I enacted in order for services to be rendered properly.

The post-Labor Day faction won this year's school calendar debate, so Northgate students will start school on Sept. 7 next year.

Start times at Northgate have fluctuated over the last several years depending on the make-up of the school board, with two groups equally dedicated to their views on whether classes should begin before or after the fall holiday.

It took nine roll call votes, two recesses and a coin toss before the Northgate School Board was able to elect a new president during the reorganization meeting Monday evening.

Incumbent Charles Miklos was elected to two board seats -- one for a four-year term and one for a two-year term -- during the November general election, and chose to accept the four-year seat. That left a two-year vacancy and only eight board members available to elect new officers during the Dec. 7 meeting.

Bellevue Council's parks and recreation committee has recommended selling a portion of Memorial Park.

The portion in question is the lot along Bellevue Road that Bellevue was forced recently to clear of vegetation, debris and stored building materials.

Because all of Memorial Park lies within Ross Township, rather than Bellevue, the property is subject to Ross property maintenance laws. After the township received complaints this summer from residents along an adjacent street, Bellevue cut down trees, removed poison ivy, and was forced to find a new home for stored bricks.

Budget cuts?

Avonworth administrators may look to budget cuts for Avonworth Elementary School in order to provide additional consulting services at the school.

Board treasurer Frank Mucha said at the board's regular meeting on Monday that the district is looking at entering into an agreement with John Esaias for consulting services for the first semester of this school year.

The agreement would pay Esaias $50 per hour, to work two days a week, at a cost not to exceed $12,500.