Burgettstown looks back on year
By SUMMER WALLACE-MINGER, Staff writerBURGETTSTOWN, Pa. - The Burgettstown Borough Council approved the proposed 2010 budget and will advertise it in a newspaper of local circulation for 20 days.
In other business, outgoing Councilman Mark Sarracino spoke about the council's accomplishments over the past year, including:
Purchasing a QuickBooks accounting system for the borough.
The installation of a new garage door in the borough garage.
Starting a fire fund account to separate the taxes collected on the volunteer fire department's behalf from the borough's funds.
Paving projects that included five different borough streets.
The installation of 18 new storm sewer boxes.
Stoning two alleys.
Installing reflectors on utility poles on Main Street and on the bypass.
Obtaining grants, including $48,000 for a comfort station in Burgettstown Community Park and $5,000 for a salt storage shed.
Obtaining a contract to purchase rock salt for $50 per ton through the state purchasing program.
Sarracino also praised council efforts to keep the borough pension fund solvent, balancing the 2009 budget and maintaining its own police department, therefore avoiding a per capita fee the state proposes to place on municipalities that depend on Pennsylvania State Police protection.
He also cautioned council to remain fiscally responsible, in light of the difficult economic times, and to look for ways to attract new businesses to the borough.
The outgoing council members - Sarracino, Pam Church and Dan Johnson - and outgoing Mayor Settimio Carnali were thanked for their service to the community.
Also during the meeting:
A petition was circulated to demolish the Johnny Hill House. The petition will be presented to the Washington County Redevelopment Authority. Residents also discussed other dilapidated structures in the borough.
It was requested that a rain collector on Archer Street be replaced, as it is dangerously weak. Councilman Dick Alvarez said it would be replaced immediately.
The council discussed the gas bill for the borough building and garage, which is more than $400. Councilman Jim Reedy said council should consider purchasing a new, more efficient furnace for the garage.
Sarracino said the borough was receiving 0.10 percent interest on the bridge fund and tax savings. He added the borough could buy a 13-month CD at 1 percent interest or put the money into a liquid money market account at 0.65 percent interest. Council took the issue under advisement
Reedy gave the parks and recreation report. He said the Burgettstown Kids Center had hosted a snack with Santa and the annual Light Up Night at the Burgettstown Community Park. He thanked all those involved with the events and invited the community to come to the park to see the 42 Christmas trees decorated by area families, businesses and service organizations.
Carnali gave the mayor's report, recommending borough Police Officer Mike Hardesty's employment be terminated when his probationary period ends. There was a discussion about the funds realized by the Hanover Township Police Department through citations and the stop sign on Center Avenue.
Alvarez gave the street department report, noting the street employees had fixed the borough's backhoe, replacing a water pump.
The auditor will deliver the fourth quarter audit by the end of the month.
There were two code enforcement complaints this month, including a garbage complaint on Shady Avenue, which was resolved, and a rubbish complaint about a local business. The business owner has been contacted.
Gene Sprando was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewer Authority Board.
A bid to build a comfort station in the community park was awarded to R.C. Concrete for approximately $43,000.
There was a discussion about gas leases and what energy companies are offering in the Burgettstown area and elsewhere. Sarracino suggested the council encourage residents to work together as a bargaining unit to increase the amount offered for leases in the borough.
Sarracino made a motion to reinstate Police Officer Amber Price, who was placed on leave after being charged by the Washington County District Attorney's Office. Alvarez said the charges against Price had not been dismissed, but had been withheld, therefore the borough cannot reinstate her at this time. Sarracino withdrew his motion.
Alvarez spoke about initiating a process to require those regularly driving heavy trucks on borough streets and those doing utility repairs in the borough to bond the streets.
(Wallace-Minger can be contacted at swallace@pafocus.com)
