Author Archives: Angelo Baiocchi

The Borough continues to upgrade street lighting.  An application will be submitted to Duquesne Light for conversion of 19 street lights along Braddock Road from Greensburg Pike to Ardmore to LED lights. These lights will be more efficient and provide better illumination.

Council has authorized the installation of security cameras in the Main Park off Ardmore Boulevard.  These will be monitored by the police and will provide an added measure of saftety for our residents and visitors.

Council approved the installation of fencing at the Main Park at and around the basketball courts to provide protection from balls, etc. from leaving the court area. It will serve to separate the pavilions and walking paths from the basketball court which will help the players as well keeping the balls on the court.

Street paving for 2018 is scheduled to begin in June after schools have recessed for the summer.

Ordinance No. 1072 was approved amending Chapter 15 of the borough’s code of ordinances to establish weight restrictions and prohibit truck traffic on Marion and Lenox.  The weight limit is now set at 7 tons.  This will help to prevent large tractor trailers and other large vehicles from using these roads.

A bid was approved awarding the Mele & Mele paving company $249,333.13 for the 2018 paving program.

Grand Opening of the 4400 Greensburg Pike building will be June 23 – Noon to 3. Further details will be discussed at the Borough Property Committee meeting on May 1st.

A bid was approved to repair the Ashley Court Stormwater Retention Tank Liner.

A second bid was approved for the Cascade Road Storm Sewer to repair the pipe where acid mine water has eaten away the bottom of the pipe and actually caused the pipe to sink in some places to create sinkholes.  The areas are now temporarily covered.

Council has moved to begin the process to replace the existing borough owned fire truck. This is a long term project that requires due diligence to ensure an overall appropriate and cost effective purchase.

Mr. Tomasic, Public Safety Chair, Kieth Morse, Emergency Management Coordinator, and committee members discussed recent water break problems that occurred with the cold weather along with possible remedies. The intent is to put a plan in place to make available small quantities of drinking water along with providing gallon jugs for cooking /cleaning use for pickup at the Borough building or delivered to other areas for distribution to residents in the event of future water interruptions.

Newly elected officials were sworn in by our magistrate the Honorable Tom Caulfield. They were:

Frank Porco, Mayor
William Gorol, Member of Council
Nina Sowiski, Member of Council
Thomas Theilacker, Member of Council
William Tomasic, Member of Council
Janet Sullivan, Tax Collector

The election of officers was conducted as prescribed by the Borough code.  The following officers were elected:

Nina Sowiski, Council President
William Tomasic, Council Vice President
Patty Demarco, Council Chairperson Pro Tem

The preliminary budget was presented.

• The general fund budget totals just under $6 million, a 1.87% increase over 2017.
• No tax increase is necessary to balance this budget draft.
• The annual trash fee may increase by $3 though that is subject to change.
• Fees for all recreation and for grading, street openings and sewer tap ins may increase pending review of the fee resolution and its approval in December.
• Discussions continue in December. The final budget will be approved in December and may change from the preliminary budget approved  in any and all aspects.

Council approved sending a letter to request that PennDOT consider adding a traffic signal at the intersection of Ardmore Blvd and Centurion/Fairfax and add a no left turn on Filmore Road at the intersection with Ardmore Blvd.

Members of the Planning Commission met with the committee to discuss the need to update the borough’s 2003 comprehensive plan.  A steering committee was recommended to guide the process.  This committee would have wide representation including members of the Commission, members of council, representatives from other boards, business representation and citizen representation.

Council approved the purchase of a phone system for the new building from Prime Communications in the amount of $10,971 including a 2 year hardware warranty and 3 year software assurance.

There was considerable discussion on ways to manage traffic at the intersection of Filmore Avenue and Ardmore Boulevard.

Ordinance no. 1067 amending Chapter 27, Zoning to establish restaurant “drive through” as a conditional use in the S-2, S-3 and B-1 districts was approved.