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Vital information from the past few months

Council considers economic issues

New Canonsburg Council President John Bevec succinctly wrapped up a two-hour meeting Monday, Jan. 30, targeting economic development in the community. "We need to let everyone know we're open for business," he said. "And when these projects are discussed on council, those not in agreement with the majority need to agree to disagree and move forward."

While the meeting's focus was development goals, the workshop also touched on current economic building blocks such as Sarris Candies, the library, the borough's musical heritage and Town Park, as well as the two-block downtown, which Bevec said was a major asset. Bevec also solicited council to come up with challenges the borough faced, which included a reluctance to change.

At meeting's end, council agreed to seek requests for proposals from consultants to develop a blueprint for revitalizing the borough. Borough Manager Terry Hazlett and Main Street Manager Nadeen Steffey were asked to begin work on wording the advertisement.

Council makes appointments, discusses goals

At a meeting Monday that largely focused on goals for the coming year, Canonsburg Borough Council took time to fill two board vacancies as well.

At the recommendation of the Canonsburg-Houston Sewer Authority Board, council appointed Steve Lucas to fill the unexpired term of James Romano, who resigned. Councilman Joe Graff and Paul Sharkady voted against the appointment. Councilwoman Fran Coleman was absent.

Council also unanimously appointed John Jones to the Canonsburg Civil Service  Commission.

In its only other official action, council voted to re-bid the lawn maintenance contract for 2012-14.

Under the direction on Council President John Bevec, council also initiated a workshop focused on 2012 goals. Bevec suggested economic development be a key component, saying that Canonsburg should capitalize on the gas company personnel in the area, finding and providing services to the employees.

Council will reconvene the workshop Monday, January 30 at 7 p.m.

Canonsburg gets sports radio

After one year of the "La Explosiva" format, Canonsburg's WWCS-AM (540 ) is the area's new Fox Sports station. Zak and Jack, Dan Patrick, Jim Rome and others are part of the lineup on the new "Fox Sports 540." For many years, WWCS was Pittsburgh's Disney radio station; prior to that, it specialized in oldies.

Bevec new council president

Former Washington County Commissioner John Bevec was unanimously elected president of Canonsburg Council Tuesday, Jan. 3 at a meeting which also saw the installation of three new councilmen.

Magistrate David Mark performed the oath of office for newly-elected councilmen Tim Bilski (Third Ward) and Joseph McGarry (Second Ward) as well as re-elected councilwoman Fran Coleman.

When A.J. Williams, who won election unopposed in the First Ward, did not appear for the meeting, Councilwoman Pat Romano nominated former Canonsburg code officer Robert Mont Miller for the First Ward seat. He was approved unanimously. Williams, who had not attended the last several meetings, verbally resigned from council but never submitted a written  notification.

Council also voted Rich Russo as vice president and Fran Coleman as president pro-tem. Auditors Cypher and Cypher, engineering firm HMT and Solicitor Patrick Derrico were all retained. Meetings will continue to be held the first and second Mondays of the month at 7 p.m.

Council makes board appointments

Canonsburg Council made the following board appointments Tuesday, Jan. 3

Denny D'Orazio, Vacancy Board Council, four years; Tom Stanko, Frank Sarris Library Board, four years; Manuel Pihakis, Frank Sarris Library Board, three years; John Alterio, Uniform Construction Code Board, two years; Leanna Coyle and John Severine, Parks and Recreation Board, three years; Tony Trona, Zoning Hearing Board, one year, Lewis Briner, Civil Service Commission, three years.

2012 budget approved

DECEMBER  13 - A $4,218,727 budget - with no millage increase - was formally approved by Canonsburg Borough Council Monday. The budget allocates a general purposes tax of 30 mils, special road fund of  2 mils, debt service of 2.33 mils and a fire department equipment fund of 3 mils for a total of 37.33 mils.

Councilwoman Pat Romano opposed the budget, and Councilman John Bevec was absent during the vote. Both the tax and salary ordinances were also approved, as was an ordinance amendment increasing parking fines, which was necessary to balance the budget. Romano also opposed that motion.

Council also approved a three-year contract with Canonsburg Police, with councilman George Coleman Jr. and Paul Sharkady dissenting. The councilmen also opposed the police drop pension plan and the police contribution of 2 1/2% to the pension plan, both of which were part of the contract and approved by the majority of council.

Council adds to ordinances, budgets move forward

In under 30 minutes, Canonsburg Borough Council zipped through a long agenda Nov. 14, tentatively approving two, 2012 budgets, adopting three ordinances and agreeing to advertise two others for adoption in December.

Both the 2012 borough budget of $4,218,727 and the sewage plant operating budget of $3,315, 600 were given tentative approval. Neither budget includes an increase in taxes.

Council  also approved an ordinance establishing a weight limit of 15 tons on Gladden Road and McEwen Avenue and adopted the International Property Maintenance Code.

An ordinance establishing several stop signs in the borough was also approved. Those stops signs are on Julia Drive and Martin, First Street and Hooks Lane, Hooks Lane and Savannah Way, Savannah Way and Lucia Drive, Lucia Drive and Linda Drive, Lucia Drive and John Drive, Lucia Drive and Forrest Drive, Forrest Drive and Breezewood, McEwen Road and Valeria Drive, McEwen Road and Charles Place, McEwen Drive and Promise Lane, McEwen Drive and Glenn Drive, McEwen Drive and Shamrock Lane, Lucia Drive and Panarama Drive, John F. Yoney Drive and Ridge, Frederick Court and Ketchum Drive, Richland Road and Barr and North Drive and Ridge Road

Council is also advertising two ordinances for December adoption. One ordinance doubles all parking fines; the minimum fine will now be $10; a second ordinance provides for a $50 fine for those who do not, within five days, rectify issues with excessive growth of grass, snow removal from sidewalks or accumulation of garbage, among other nuisances.

Council also formally accepted the resignation of Councilman A.J. Williams, who last week won re-election in the first ward. A replacement for Williams is expected to be appointed in February.

Borough, police near contract agreement

OCTOBER 10 - With a 6-2 vote, Canonsburg Borough Council Monday approved a tentative three-year agreement with its police department. The vote is pending written verification that police have also tentatively approved the contract (council received verbal confirmation last week). Councilmen Paul Sharkady and George Coleman voted against approval, stating that they wanted to see the entire contract as opposed to the 14 changes being made to the current agreement. Pol,ice officers will receive an 81 cents-per-hour increase for each of the three years of the contract. Contribution to health care increases to 2% of gross wages; pension contribution will be $2.5% of compensation.

Council also again debated taking a $400,000 loan to begin work on safety issues in the borough building. The loan is necessary as part of a match to a $650,000 grant received from the state in September.

Sharkady made a motion to borrow the money; finance chair Rich Russo said council should not borrow money until it knew the interest rate and until it at least held its first meeting concerning the 2012 budget. After considerable debate, Coleman rescinded his second to the motion. The loan will be part of discussions at the budget meeting Tuesday, October18 at 7 p.m.

Council also:

* Agreed to advertise an amendment establishing a weight limit of 15 tons on Gladden Road and McEwan Avenue (Coleman and Sharkady voted "no")

*Approved offers of $2,500 and $500, respectively, for small parcels near 617 Chartiers Street (Ellen Christian) and 623 Adams Avenue (Ken Gullick)

*Honored School Guard Ruth Blackman for attending to an injured child at Canon-McMillan Middle School and Main Street Manager Nadeen Steffey for her work with the Main Street program, which once again received state honors. Steffey's award was presented by Pat Milioto, representing State Rep. Brandon Neuman.

Murdock residents complain about club

OCTOBER 10 - About a half-dozen Murdock Street resident approached Canonsburg Council Monday to complain about patrons of the Canon Lodge, continuing a conversation between residents and council that began at last week's agenda meeting.

Once again, the complaints centered on late-night/early-morning gunfire, littering and use of profanity. One resident complained of finding live ammunition in his yard and said there appeared to be no control at the club.

Club officers, who also attended the meeting, blamed the problems on former patrons of Washington clubs who had begun coming to the Canonsburg location when those clubs closed. The officers said they were immediately "beefing up controls" with cameras and two state constables.

"We are truly sorry," Dane Cole said, "and are truly working on solving it."

Residents blast council about club patrons

OCTOBER 3 - Complaints about vehicle  vandalism, public urination and even gunfire were fired at Canonsburg Borough Council Monday by several residents of Murdock Street. In an emotionally-charged public comments portion of the meeting, the residents zeroed in on a local club as the cause for concern.

Club patrons were also accused of fighting, smoking crack cocaine and soliciting drugs from residents in the early hours of the morning. A mother of young children tearfully told she feared for their lives because of the gunfire and said she was afraid to get out of her car at night. "These people do not have the right to terrorize us," she said.

Mayor David Rhome and Police Chief R.T. Bell said the borough was aware of the issues and had held a six-hour meeting earlier in the day to discuss ways to deal with the problems. In response to a complaint about bar patrons illegally parking in the area, Mayor Rhome said he was working to correct the problem with additional parking tickets and painting of yellow lines in no parking zones.

One resident fired back that parking was the least of the issues. Rhome said the major issues were being addressed as well, but he did not want to state publicly what the police were doing.

Council President Joe Milioto said, "I sympathize with all of you. Gunfire is totally unacceptable in this borough." He directed Manager Terry Hazlett to write a letter to the club officers telling them the borough would not tolerate such behavior.

Council also:

Plans to set the weight limit on Gladden Road and McEwen Avenue at 15 tons through amendment of an ordinance

Plans to adopt an ordinance establishing rental unit inspections later this year or early in 2012 after details of frequency and cost are discussed

Delayed discussion of financing a match for a $650,000 R-Cap grant until upcoming budget meetings

Learned that the negotiating committee had reached a tentative three-year agreement with the police department.

Councilman Williams resigns

SEPTEMBER 19 - A.J. Williams, who at 19 became the youngest councilman to ever serve on Canonsburg Council, resigned just short of completing his first term.

Williams cited family and job as reasons for stepping down. In May, he had handily won the primary as the Democrat representative on the November ballot - and there is no Republican competition.

Williams is the second councilman to resign in 2011. Mike Kazmarski, citing personal reasons, left this spring. He was replaced by former County Commissioner John Bevec.

Council lands $650,000 grant

SEPT. 13 - The long-awaited renovation of the Canonsburg Borough  building came closer to fruition Monday with the announcement of a $650,000 matching R-cap grant from the state. State Sen. Tim Solobay and State Rep. Brandon Neuman presented an oversized check to council, with Solobay reiterating that the money would be ensuring the safety of residents. The funds will tentatively be used for renovation and updating of the police department, conversion of building restrooms to meet ADA standards and the purchase of a building generator. If funds remain, the second floor of the former library would be remodeled for office space and council chambers would be renovated.

Council funded a feasibility study for building renovation in 2010 as part of a Local Share grant application. The application was rejected, then rewritten and submitted for a state grant. Council's building committee has been meeting regularly to discuss options for the renovations.

Council also discussed several ordinances, two of which will be voted on next week. Those ordinances conform the earned income and net profits tax to be collected at the county level, as per Act 32 of 2008, and also turn collection of the local services tax to Keystone Collection.

Freedom Line Schedule

McDonald to Washington

McDonald-Haveloch Commons - Coal Street 7:00 8:30 10:00 11:30 1:00 2:30 4:00

McDonald - Giant Eagle - Station Street 7:03 8:33 10:03 11:33 1:03 2:33 4:03

Cecil - Senior Center - Millers Run Road 10:14 11:44

Valley View Terrace - Valley Road 7:20 8:50 10:27 11:57 1:20 2:50 4:20

Canon House & Apts - N. Central Avenue 7:23 8:53 10:30 12:00 1:23 2:53 4:23

Canonsburg Senior Center - Pike Street 7:25 8:55 10:32 12:02 1:25 2:55 4:25

Canonsburg Shop N Save - Pike Street 7:30 9:03 10:40 12:10 1:33 3:03 4:33

Pike Inn - Pike Street, Houston 7:36 9:06 10:43 12:13 1:36 3:06 4:36

Meadowbrook Clubhouse - Meadowbrook Dr. 7:42 9:12 10:49 12:19 1:42 3:12 4:42

Meadows Casino - Racetrack Road 7:49 9:19 10:56 12:26 1:49 3:19 4:49

Strabane Square - Target - Washington Road 7:59 9:29 11:06 12:36 1:59 3:29 4:59

Strabane Square - Giant Eagle - Washington Road 8:01 9:31 11:08 12:38 2:01 3:31 5:01

Trinity Point - WalMart - Washington Road 8:05 9:35 11:12 12:42 2:05 3:35 5:05

Washington Parking Garage - E. Chestnut Street 8:17 9:47 11:24 12:54 2:17 3:47 5:17

Washington to McDonald

Washington Parking Garage - E. Chestnut Street 8:30 10:00 11:30 1:00 2:30 4:00 5:30

Trinity Point - WalMart - Washington Road 8:37 10:07 11:37 1:07 2:37 4:07 5:37

Strabane Square - Target - Washington Road 8:46 10:16 11:46 1:16 2:46 4:16 5:46

Strabane Square - Giant Eagle - Washington Road 8:48 10:18 11:48 1:18 2:48 4:18 5:48

Meadows Casino - Racetrack Road 9:00 10:30 12:00 1:30 3:00 4:30 6:00

Meadowbrook Clubhouse - Meadowbrook Dr. 9:08 10:38 12:08 1:38 3:08 4:38 6:08

Pike Inn - Pike Street, Houston 9:14 10:44 12:14 1:44 3:14 4:44 6:14

Canonsburg Shop N Save - Pike Street 9:17 10:47 12:17 1:47 3:17 4:47 6:17

Canonsburg Senior Center - Pike Street 9:23 10:53 12:23 1:53 3:23 4:53 6:23

Canon House & Apts. - N. Central Ave. 9:26 10:56 12:26 1:56 3:26 4:56 6:26

Valley View Terrace - Valley Road 9:32 11:02 12:32 2:02 3:32 5:02 6:32

Cecil - Senior Center - Millers Run Road 12:45 2:15 3:45

McDonald - Giant Eagle - Station Street 9:49 11:19 12:56 2:26 3:56 5:19 6:49

McDonald-Haveloch Commons - Coal Street 9:52 11:22 12:59 2:29 3:59 5:22 6:52