Ann Scott Rejoins Civil Service Commission in Baldwin

Ann Scott Returns

Former longtime Baldwin Borough municipal employee Ann Scott's replacement on the borough's all-volunteer Civil Service Commission in April should never have been appointed.

The Baldwin Council officially recognized that mistake in October when it accepted the resignation of her replacement—James Behers. As a state constable, Behers was ineligible for a spot on the Civil Service Commission, something that no council member was aware of when he was appointed.

At a meeting on Tuesday night, the council brought Scott back to the commission with a narrow, 4-3 vote, and she will serve there again until at least the end of April 2018.

Behers' appointment in April was also met with a 4-3 controversy. Voting for Behers over Scott at that time were Councilmen Michael Stelmasczyk, John Ferris, John Conley and David Depretis.

Speaking as a member of the public and of the Civil Service Commission, former Baldwin Councilman George Raynovich said at the time, "It is clear to me that the reason Ms. Scott did not get re-elected to the commission is because she was appointed by the previous council, which you people (Stelmasczyk, Ferris and Depretis) defeated in an election."

However, on Tuesday, Ferris joined fellow Councilmen Bob Collet, Larry Brown and Ed Moeller in voting for Scott. Voting instead for the only other nominee for the vacancy—Timothy Codelka—were Conley, Stelmasczyk and Depretis.

The commission is a quasi-judicial board that oversees the Baldwin Borough Police Department.

Other Borough Appointments

Most of Tuesday's borough appointments went very smoothly, though, as all of the other nominees for open positions were selected unanimously.

Also joining the borough as municipal volunteers:

• Planning Commission (term ending Dec. 31, 2016) - Mark Kastroll
• Planning Commission (term ending Dec. 31, 2016) - Bob Ieraci
• Planning Commission alternate (term ending Dec. 31, 2016) - John Egger
• Zoning Hearing Board (term ending Dec. 31, 2014) - Peter Obringer
• Zoning Hearing Board (term ending Dec. 31, 2015) - Mike Sharp
• Zoning Hearing Board (term ending Dec. 31, 2016) - Timothy Esken
• Zoning Hearing Board (term ending Dec. 31, 2017) - Frank Pikutis
• Zoning Hearing Board alternate (term ending Dec. 31, 2017) - Ed Utzig
• Vacancy Board (term ending Dec. 31, 2013) - Charlotte Hagan
• Pleasant Hills Authority Board (term ending Dec. 31, 2017) - Patrick Bondi
• Board of Appeals (term ending Dec. 31, 2017) - Mark Kastroll again

Becks Run Fire Update

Baldwin Borough solicitor Stanley B. Lederman said on Tuesday night that borough administration has filed a petition in Allegheny County's Orphans' Court Division requesting that the assets of the Becks Run Volunteer Fire Department be dispersed to Baldwin's three other volunteer fire departments.

The Baldwin Council decertified Becks Run Fire on Dec. 11. The decertification terminates all authority previously granted to the department to perform duties associated with a volunteer fire department and revokes its official status as a volunteer fire department serving the borough.

Ryan Homes Request

Representatives of Ryan Homes, a developer of residences in north Baldwin's Breckenridge Highlands complex, will appear in front of the Baldwin Council at a special meeting on Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

The Ryan reps will argue to have their "setback" for eight Breckenridge homes reduced to 15 feet. Setback is the amount of space required in the borough between a structure and the street that it sits along.

The borough's Planning Commission has rejected Ryan's request.

Read more about this topic here.

The special meeting will be held in the council chambers of the borough municipal building along Churchview Avenue. The meeting is open to the public, and should circumstances dictate, it would be moved to the municipal auditorium of the same building.

Route 51 Apartments Update

The Baldwin Council unanimously approved on Tuesday a preliminary site plan for the development of three 50-unit apartments buildings on a vacant lot near the Route 51 cloverleaf.

Read more about this topic here.

And click here for more Baldwin Borough news.

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