Some Savings, Some Expenditures Discussed at Oct. 19 Whitehall Borough Meeting

Paperwork in Process to Save Borough Around $178,000 Per Year

Harold Berkoben informed fellow Council members and council meeting attendants on Wednesday night that the completion of paperwork is in progress that “will save the borough about $178,000 (per year)” in health insurance costs.

On Oct. 5, the council approved a new five-year contract with its public works employees that will start on Jan. 1, 2012, and will provide those employees with a 3-percent raise per year.

The contract also switches insurance groups for those employees, which accounts for the savings.

“And it’s basically for the same coverage,” Berkoben said.

Next year, most Whitehall employees will be covered under a Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania plan instead of a Municipal Employers Insurance Trust one.

Cost for New Whitehall Fire Station Increases

Whitehall Borough Manager James E. Leventry informed the borough’s council on Wednesday night that the cost to complete construction of the ’s new station along Route 51 has increased by roughly $28,000.

The increased cost is due to plumbing requirements for the station needing to be expanded from a two-inch water main to a six-inch one, as explained by Whitehall Councilman Philip Lahr. Therefore, an external water-site meter vault must be dug at the new station for water use to be monitored, as required by the Pennsylvania American Water Company.

“(A vault) is normally put in for larger-sized projects,” borough engineer Ruthann L. Omer said. “You wouldn’t have a vault at your house … 

“It was determined after the bids were received that that’s the structure (a vault) that the water company wanted. Originally, I guess it was assumed that maybe we wouldn’t have to do that (dig a vault), but the decision was made that, no, it’s going to have to have a vault for this size of a building.

“It was not a decision by the borough; it was actually a requirement by the water company.”

Leventry also informed the Whitehall Council that the borough will be saving $1,330 on the fire station project because the PA American Water Company will be supplying a fire hydrant that the contractor for the new station initially believed would have to be supplied by the contractor.

Council unanimously approved both the addition of $28,204 and the deduction of $1,330 to the construction cost of the new fire station.

Heinen/Shadowlawn Pedestrian Bridge to Be Fixed

The Whitehall Council unanimously accepted the proposal of a contractor, as presented by Leventry, to repair the Heinen Street/Shadowlawn Drive pedestrian bridge for $9,500.

Fixing that bridge, during March and April borough meetings, was originally expected to cost approximately $40,000, but the newly approved contractor was easily the lowest bidder.

ALCOSAN Town Hall Meeting at Brentwood Library

Omer advised the Whitehall Council and other attendants of Wednesday night’s borough meeting that Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) will hold a town hall meeting at the Brentwood Library on Brownsville Road on Monday, Oct. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss plans for Saw Mill Run and Streets Run projects.

“These affect all of us and our bills,” Omer said, “and if you have a moment, you should go over (to the meeting) and see what they’re doing. Ask questions.

“They’re (ALCOSAN is) sincerely trying to get out to educate the public as to what’s happening.”

Veman Avenue Update

Omer and Whitehall Councilman Glenn Nagy acknowledged spots of poor road conditions on Veman Avenue near . Nagy assured those at the meeting that his Public Works Committee is making strides to fix those spots.

No Leaves Collection

Nagy wished to remind borough residents that Whitehall’s public works employees do not collect leaves from residential properties.

If residents see a vehicle collecting leaves around the borough, that vehicle is most likely clearing sewers and other areas of clutter, Nagy said.

Speeding Concerns on Oakridge Drive

Councilman Robert McKown advised that his Pubic Safety Committee is working with the to prevent speeding on Oakridge Drive, which McKown said has been a concern for numerous residents.

McKown said that police patrols will be increasing on Oakridge to try to prevent this problem.

“Beware,” he said, “if you don’t want a ticket.”

Cherryvale Drive Residents Reminded of Poor-Weather Garbage Pickup

Berkoben wished to remind residents of Cherryvale Drive that inclement weather often affects garbage pickup on their street.

Leventry will be sending a letter to the Cherryvale residents who, specifically, will have their pickup affected. The letter will explain that those residents’ garbage will often need to be moved to the opposite side of their residences in order to be picked up during times of poor weather.