Municipal News
- Last Updated on Thursday, 09 May 2013 02:37
Each member of the town council was in attendance for the April town council meeting, except for Councilwoman Lisa Morris who was in the hospital.
Councilman Steve Hallam brought a revised contract from the Clairton Police Department that states the services they can provide to West Elizabeth. Solicitor Krisha Mackulin reminded council that if they choose to stop using services by the Elizabeth Borough Police Department that they have to give them a 120-day notice. Hallam stated tahat though he acknowledges that the police showed improvement in the past 2 months, in the past 5 years they have not been doing their job. He said he wouldn't be doing his job as a council member if he "let the town continue to pay for a sub-par police department." He wanted the council members to see that they did have an option as far as their police department.
Councilman Darryl Celestino stated that he is happy with the improvements of the Elizabeth Borough Police and doesn't see a reason to change to Clairton. "It's very good and I appreciate it, as long as they can do what they are doing, I'm satisfied with their services" stated Celestino. The majority of council was in agreement with that.
Councilwoman Susan Pershing stated that she is also happy with the improved communication between the council and the Elizabeth Borough Police Department.
Resident, Sylvia Pearsol questioned the hours of patrol by the police because she does not usually see the police patrolling.
In other news:
*The Red Cross truck is now parked at the West Elizabeth Fire Department. While West Elizabeth firefighters were at fire school on March 28th. Firefighter Larry Bagg suffered a seizure in class and a second seizure in the ambulance.
*Raymond Dodds Contracting reported that the work in the baseball field is complete.
*Mackulin said that she is having a problem with Bob Welty turning over the tax money that he is collecting. The money needs to be turned over by December 31st but Welty is refusing to hand over the money. Welty informed Mackulin that he follows the school calendar and hands over the money in June. Mackulin stated that by doing this it could add up to late fees and further problems and that Welty can not wait until June and he must turn the money over on time. She asked council members to talk to Welty about his refusal to turn over the tax dollars that he collects.
*Resident Birdie Magill complained about potholes on 6th street. She wanted to know when the work would be done and reported that if she has to get her car aligned again than she will send the bill to the borough. Celestino said that as he explained to her previously, the work will be done when the temperature warms up. If you do road work in cold or wet temperatures, it is not effective and will have to be done again. He does not want to waste the tax dollars redoing the work that can just wait until the temperatures are warmer.
*Jim Halt reported that he is still having a problem with excessive coal dust gathering on his property. He brought a bag of the coal dust to show just how much he accumulates on his porch in just one week. Celestino contacted the Health Department to bring in an Air Monitoring Station to determine the extent of the damage to the air that the coal dust is causing the residents, stating that if it is on your porch, then it is in your home, and in the air!
*Pearsol asked if there is a noise ordinance that clearly states specific hours. Emergency Coordinator, Bill Wolfgang, looked up the ordinance and stated that though there is such an ordinance, however, no specific hours were determined. Pearsol had several questions regarding Bethel Metals. She asked about the progress of a privacy fence being built at Bethel Metals. They were told in 2008 to erect a privacy fence but nothing has been done to date.
Mackulin brought information to answer Pearsol's previous questions about whether a permit is required by the borough for Bethel Metals to operate. There is an ordinance that requires a license and a permit. The license fee of $50 is to be paid yearly. Bethel Metals has not paid this and they do not have a permit.
Wolfgang also gave an update on any resolution regarding a truck route and the damage to the riverbank caused by Bethel Metal's trucks. He first suggested putting up barriers to protect the property in town. Mackulin explained that he can not put barriers on a public road. Wolfgang stated that the borough needs to write out a specific truck route that they want the Bethel Metal drivers to use. Wolfgang also stated that they should have a meeting with Bethel Metals to discuss specific issues.
*Pearsol reminded the council members that UDAG money can be used by the borough for the purpose of demolitions. She asked if they have seen the houses in the bottom half of town and that it is getting "disgusting."
*An inspection on the borough building showed that the water spouts on the corners of the building need extended. The foundation needs extended because it is buckling.
*Postmaster, Jodi Jubeck asked if a sign can be put up to point out the location of the post office. She said it may bring in new customers.
*Wolfgang contacted the Geese Police company to help reign in the problem of the flocks of geese polluting the baseball field. They can patrol the field 3 times a day and cost $150 a week. Wolfgang was told that this is the mating season for the geese and that legally, they are not allowed to destroy their nests.
*The Elizabeth Borough Police answered 24 calls in March. Some of those calls involved a Domestic Disturbance, 2 Parking Complaints, 2 Traffic Calls, 3 Suspicious Activity Calls (one involved a vehicle) and a Civil Custody Dispute. They assisted on 3 EMS calls and a fire investigation. They handed out 14 traffic citations. There were 8 truck inspections that resulted in 3 citations and 1 warning. They performed 157 hours and 54 minutes of patrol in West Elizabeth.
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