Messages from the Mayor

DONALD L. KINOSZ DAVID A. REGOLI Department of Public Affairs Accounts & Finance

FRANK TROZZI, JR IRENE J. KARRS RICHARD W. LIPPERT Parks & Public Property Streets & Public Improvements Public Safety City

VICTORIA FARINA BRIAN ESHBAUGH Treasurer Controller News

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1 April 2005

Messages from the Mayor center is developed the estimate is the Businesses in Lower Burrell creation of about 400 jobs. And finally, Rascal’s has changed ownership. Stop by, have fun and say First, congratulations to the A developer is exploring the hello to the new owners. StrongLand Chamber of Commerce possibility of expanding the for the excellent Home Expo on the Crossroads Plaza. As always remember these businesses first three days of April. The business depend on your patronage to be community receives a strong boost Hillcrest Shopping Center is doing successful. from the show. Some of the vendors some moving of stores and is actively expressed the show is the difference negotiating for a portion if not all of “Shop Lower Burrell First” between an average business year and the former Ames Store. We are still a very successful one. searching for potential non-retail uses Happy 10th Anniversary Bruster’s for the back portion of Ames. If you As usual, I heard more rumors than I have any ideas or leads, please feel Bruster’s will be celebrating their 10th can possibly deal with here. Let me free to call me. Examples of potential Anniversary. Come join us for tons of say though unless officially announced uses are for offices, schools, meeting fun and entertainment on May 20, 21 in the media or through the City, centers, etc. and 22, 2005. rumors are just that... rumors. While we were saddened to see the Fun & Entertainment all weekend Here are some of the both exciting and departure of Burrell Rental and Jacobs long. challenging activities that are Wholesale Trophy Shop, there have occurring. also been positive developments. Comprehensive Plan Lucie’s Alterations broke ground for a Widewater Corporation, the owner of new building. The Comprehensive Planning the Wards/Penney’s Shopping Center, Committee working very closely with is actively negotiating with potential the New Kensington Campus of clients. No firm contracts have been Pennsylvania State University has now signed at this time. Yes, Penney’s is completed the writing of the leaving in early July to open their new Comprehensive Plan. The vision for store in Pittsburgh Mills. The the City is “A Visually Appealing negotiations have been all on the basis Community of Safe Neighborhoods of Penney’s move. We will miss with a variety of educational, them, but the negotiations include recreation and cultural opportunities potential replacements. with ready access to services, retail and jobs”. This vision is then broken We have applied for a $220,000 grant into distinct parts on land use, called “Business on Our Sites”. This The Hello Shop moved and expanded. transportation, education. Action is a new competitive grant program Several new businesses also opened: plans are then listed for each of these applied to reclaiming old mine sites, areas. industrial sites, etc. The purpose is for  Medi Home Hospice planning and some site development. 3162 Kipp Ave. We are currently in what is called the The grants, if received, will be applied  Dr. James Katsur & Associates verification stage, translated – did we to the development of a shopping Hillcrest Plaza get your wishes right? Once this center at the new Parnassus  Kensington Financial is now phase is completed and the plan Crossroads on the site of the former at 2664 Leechburg Rd. adopted by Council, the Gateway Drive-In theater. If this  Modern Nails is now implementation stage will begin. The at 2505 Leechburg Rd. plan will be available at City Hall for City News anyone who wishes to read it. Also, if residents notified have responded to any community groups would like a have testing done at no cost to them to Flood Recovery presentation about the plan, please determine if there is a violation and contact City Hall. the required corrections. Please Work is still progressing to recover understand that our intent is to work from the June, September and January Water Authority Sale closely with those requiring floods. Flow control valves are corrections to minimize any financial presently being installed in a number As you know from the media the City burden. The City of Lower Burrell is of homes in the Kinloch area. Many officials of New Kensington have required, as well as other thanks go out to Catholic Charities backed away from the sale of the municipalities, to bring all systems who paid for the materials and “Water Authority” to any entity into compliance by order of the installation. Some dredging work has outside of the City. The media further Department of Environmental been completed to stabilize the creek reported that the same officials are Protection. Failure to do so can along Miller’s Lane. Some have considering an offer discussed earlier potentially result in financial penalties. received all or part of their funding by the Water Authority. This offer In addition we need to remove as from the Federal Emergency would be to make an annual payment much storm water from the sanitary Management Agency. The Salvation of $500,000 to the City of New system to keep from overloading the Army has arranged for hot water Kensington. Lower Burrell and the system. Overloads result in backups heaters and Catholic Charities have surrounding communities also oppose into home – a situation none of us financed furnaces for those in need. this proposition for the same reasons want to see. Alcoa has provided work crews and the sale was opposed. The rate payers money. If you know of people who would see higher water rates with the Therefore, once again, we are asking are distressed and need help, please proposition. The rate increases would for your cooperation and assistance to call my office to see if we can locate go to the City of New Kensington for solve this problem. The City has no anyone to help, 724-335-9875, ext. the uses they stated – reducing tax desire to exercise legal means to solve 225. rates for New Kensington residents, the problem, but understand that economic development and compliance must be obtained, Strawberry Festival beautification for New Kensington. whatever it takes. While we believe these are noble goals Burrell Area Rotary will be holding a they should not be borne on the backs Transportation Strawberry Festival on June 17th to of “rate payers” for water. The Water raise funds for community projects. Authority was never intended from all The recent transportation bill TEA-LU They have done a number of things the research I have done, to offset the passed by the House did not contain an already for Wolf Pack Park. Please financial issues of the City of New appropriation for the $5 million participate. More details to come. Kensington through water rates. necessary to continue work on a new bridge and connector from the AK I have discussed our position with Valley to the Rt. 28 Expressway. A Message from some officials of New Kensington and Congressional representatives have Councilman Trozzi the Water Authority along with pointed out that this was due to the testifying at a public meeting. I adamant refusal by State and Hello again and thank you for taking a believe our position is clearly PennDOT officials to proceed with the few minutes to read about some of the understood and being evaluated. The work even if it was funded. This is a things going on with the City Parks. surrounding communities of rate significant setback for the Valley. The City is extremely lucky and proud payers are united in their opposition. of the many grants and projects that We hope this never comes to a stage The AK Coalition has now redoubled are in process. The effort is enormous requiring litigation, but will take its efforts to overturn this decision. and I’d like to publicly acknowledge whatever steps are deemed necessary Meetings are being held with officials everyone involved. Although it may to protect you, the rate payer. of several counties to have the bridge seem like it’s taking some time to added to the Southwestern implement these projects we have Smoke and Dye Testing Pennsylvania Commission been hard at work on them for a Transportation Improvement Plan. number of months, and years in some Some of you have received first round This bridge and total surrounding road cases. Please understand that for some or second round letters suggesting that infrastructure is critical to our overall of us administering and implementing you may have areas where storm and success as a region. Please contact state and federal grants and dealing sewer systems are interconnected. Governor Rendell and all other State with detailed bid packages and all the The first round responses have been and Congressional officials to express associated work and time involved, disappointing. About 25% of the your disappointment and concern. especially the quantity of projects that City News are currently in process, is 9. PA Conservation Corp. Labor / cited for trespassing. Additionally, challenging. Some of us are not Materials Grant – Various Park ATV’s cannot be ridden on any roads experts, and so these things take time Projects in the City of Lower Burrell. because all of the requirements that we 10. Community Development Block deal with are very detailed and Grant - Wolf Pack Park The bottom line is there are very few specific and are not typically part of Physically Challenged Walking places they can be ridden in the City, our normal day-to-day tasks. We Trail Upgrade unless you have permission of a absolutely need to make sure we 11. Burrellton Garden Club – Wolf landowner, you are limited to riding execute and adhere to all local, state, Pack Park Flag Pole Donation them in your yard. federal, and grant codes and guidelines. The process takes time and These are the major projects going on Another law the State has enacted sometimes requires input from many within the City Parks, and do not regarding the operation of ATV’s is individuals both inside and outside the include day-to-day activities and Section 7730, Liability Insurance. City, including the City Solicitor. So ongoing Park maintenance. This list is This section requires that you carry please be patient with us and know certainly substantial enough to keep us liability insurance coverage for any that everyone involved is doing their all busy for a long time. Thank you for ATV’s that are required to be best to get these projects completed in your time. As always, give a call if registered. Additionally Section 7729, a timely manner. you have any questions or suggestions. the State has a law that places all liability for negligence on the owner We have approximately $800,000 of the ATV. What this means is that worth of active projects associated the owner is held responsible for the with the City Parks and I’d like to A Message from death or injury of any person or the summarize the major activities. If Lower Burrell Police Department damage to any property, resulting anyone has any questions or wants from the negligent use or operation of additional detail, or wants to donate ATV’s any ATV by any person when this their services, please give me a call person is operating the vehicle with and I would be most happy to discuss. The Lower Burrell Police Department the consent of the owner. has been receiving a number of City of Lower Burrell Park Activities / complaints regarding the operation of If you would like more information on Projects: quad runners (all-terrain vehicles) in this subject, contact the Lower Burrell the City. Because of this I thought it Police Department at (724) 339-4287. 1. Wolf Pack Master Plan (DCNR) may be fitting to pass on some Bid Package I – Soccer Fields (Tri information to those people who ride Safeguarding Your Mobile Phone City Soccer made a substantial ATV’s and the parents of children financial contribution beyond the who operate ATV’s. Title 75, the As many as 10,000 mobile phones are grant) , Adult Softball / Baseball, Vehicles Law of Pennsylvania, stolen every month. Two thirds of the Tot Lot provide for many laws that govern the victims are aged between 13 and 16. 2. Wolf Pack Master Plan (DCNR) operation of ATV’s. One such law Many phones are also stolen from Bid Package II – Little League that we see numerous infractions of is unattended cars. Here are some Fields (Lower Burrell Little Section 7724, Operation on Private or practical measures you can take to League made a substantial State Property. This section states that keep your mobile phone safe. financial contribution beyond the “No person shall operate a grant) , and Basketball Court snowmobile or an ATV on private Remember to.... 3. Rotary Club Fund Raiser – Wolf property without the consent of the Pack Deck Hockey Rink owner thereof. Any person operating 4. Materials Donation – Wolf Pack a snowmobile or an ATV upon lands · Keep your phone out of sight in Concession Stand Rebuild of another shall stop and identify your pocket or handbag when not 5. John Murtha Grant - Wolf Pack himself upon the request of the in use. Water Line Extension "landowner” Also the operator of the · Use your phone’s security lock 6. John Murtha Grant – Wolf Pack ATV must promptly remove the code, if it has one. Bridge Construction vehicle if requested by the landowner. · Record details of your electronic 7. John Murtha Grant – Wolf Pack Ultimately, what this section is stating serial number (ESN) and consider Park Electrical Upgrade is that if you want to ride an ATV in separate insurance. 8. John Murtha Grant – Wolf Pack the City you must have the permission Pavilion of the person who owns the property Don’t... on which you will be riding. If you don’t have permission, you can be City News

· Attract attention to your phone the road edges on Guyer Rd, Kunkle Summer Employment Applications when you are carrying or using it Rd, Watters Rd, Delberta Rd, Wills in the street. Ave, and the stream bank stabilization Applications are now being taken for · Park in an isolated or dark area. on Millers Lane. We will also rebuild the Street Department Summer helpers · Leave your phone in an the retaining wall on Phillips Dr. Of for 2005. unattended car – if you must, lock course we also have the jobs that were it out of sight. It only takes left from last year that were delayed Applicants must be at least 18 years of seconds for a thief to smash a due to the storms and our normal age, currently attending college or will window and steal your phone. yearly maintenance. This will be an be attending in the Fall. Work ambitious year, but if the weather normally begins in May and lasts for · If you see anything suspicious, cooperates, I am sure that that Street 15 weeks. The wage is $6.00 per hour call the police – Dial 911. Department will come through. and the hours for most of the summer will be 6:00am to 2:30am. If you have information about stolen This year we are purchasing a new mobile phones or any other crimes, piece of equipment that will increase Previous employees must complete a please call Lower Burrell at 724- the production rate of the asphalt base new application each year and will 339-4287. repairs. The Asphalt Zipper is a only work for a total of four years. To miniature milling machine that will apply, pick up an application, from our speed our demolition process. We are receptionist on the main floor of City From the Treaurer's Office purchasing this machine jointly with Hall between the hours of 9:00 AM Allegheny Twp in an effort to and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Per capita taxes for 2004 are due by 5 continue our cost savings program. p.m. on June 1; post marks are not The millings that are created will be Traffic Light Problems: accepted. Delinquent per capita taxes reused in trench backfills and other will be sent for collection on June 2. road repairs replacing stone that We are asking all city residents to If you have misplaced your bill or normally would have to be purchased. contact our Street Department to need to check if it has been paid, report any traffic lights that are not phone the Treasurer's Office at 724- Every year at this time, potholes begin working. You can call us Monday 337-4381. to develop and our pothole patrol will through Friday from 7:00 AM until be making their rounds. We try to 3:30 PM at 724/889-2007. City, County and School Taxes can be search for them, but even with our best paid by credit card by phoning 1-800- effort we can not always find them. If 272-9829, or on-line at you have a “favorite pothole” that has www.officialpayments.com. Our missed our attention, please call our jurisdiction code is 4811. This office at 724-334-0690 between the Street Light Problems: information can also be found on the hours of 7:00AM and 3:30PM and we tax bills. will make it disappear. Please be If you notice that a streetlight is either aware that several streets within the burned out or on all the time, we are City are owned and maintained by asking that you report it to the City. Public Works PennDOT. We will forward your For us to report the problem please By Councilwoman Irene Karrs request to the local PennDOT office. reply with the closest street address to the pole. Call Monday through Friday Street Department This year we will be bidding for major from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM to 724- repair work on Braddock Dr, Vance 335-9875 Extension 208. At this time of the year the Street Dr, Washington St, and Schreiber St. Department starts to gear up for the The base repairs will be performed by Sewer Department coming construction season. We our own workers and the new drainage received not one but two devastating and road overlays will be performed The Sewer Department has also had its storms that require repairs that have by contractors. own run of bad luck during last years not been completed yet. After the storms. Many of the required repairs September 17th storm, we applied for As always we ask that you be careful have been completed but some of the funding from FEMA to make the when driving through the construction temporary repairs will need a more repairs and the monies are just being sites. We are always concerned about permanent solution. These also will received. We hope to continue the not only our workers welfare but your be funded by FEMA and will be repairs in the next few weeks as own safety. Please obey work zone placed out for public bid. Great money and materials become signs and the flagmen. thanks go out to the Sewer Department available. The repairs that remain are City News for their outstanding work during these I, a symbol of the sacrifice, which they Volunteers are welcome to serve on trying times. had endured. But the Poppy is more the Burrell Youth Commission, an than a symbol – it is a source of hope alternative program to juvenile court The storm related repairs have also and aid to many in our nation. proceedings. One of 19 commissions delayed the smoke and dye program in Westmoreland County, the Burrell that we started last year to identify These flowers, made by the disabled Youth Commission, serving both structures that have direct storm water servicemen, raise funds for relief work Upper Burrell and Lower Burrell, connections (downspouts and among handicapped veterans. Poppy meets monthly to hear cases referred driveway drains) to their sanitary contributions are devoted entirely to by District Magistrates, Burrell sewer lines which are in violation of assistance for Veternas and their Schools and/or the police. City ordinances. These connections families. Commission membership are overloading the sanitary lines requirements include residence in during heavy rain storms causing The Amercian Legion Auxiliary Unit Lower/Upper Burrell, possessing good manholes to overflow in the lower 868 will be out May 28th & 29th in the character and no record of criminal areas of the City and then flowing area distributing poppies. Please be history. Additional information can be directly into the streams which run to generous when you see them. obtained by contacting Officer the river. Unfortunately they also Richard Ogurchock, Lower Burrell cause backups into basements of many Memorial Day Services May 30th Police (724) 339-4287 or Frank Baker homes during the more severe rains. (724) 335-2635, e-mail: 8:45 a.m. – VFW Post 92 Ceremony [email protected]. Many residents will be receiving a 9:30 a.m. – Greenwood Memorial letter soon stating that we will be Cemetery Service testing your area by forcing smoke 11:00 a.m. – Memorial Day Parade A Message from Public Safety through the system to identify many Sponsored by the American Legion Councilman Richard W. Lippert leaks and connections. Prior to the Post 868 beginning of the smoke testing, every Noon – Memorial Service at the home that will be affected will receive American Legion Post 868 Senate Resolution 60 Special notice explaining when and where the Bipartisan Legislative Commission testing will be performed. This notice Submits Formal Report will advise you to place at least one Bike Parade & Rodeo gallon of water in every drain of your State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann has home to insure that the P-Trap is full announced that a bipartisan A bike parade and rodeo is planned for of water. Floor drains are especially commission, created for the purpose of all children in the Lower Burrell susceptible since they are seldom used devising strategies to improve the Community on June 5, 2005 at 2:00 and have a tendency to dry out. If delivery of emergency services across p.m. Children that cannot ride a bike your home has had its plumbing the Commonwealth, has completed its are welcomed with their parents properly installed there is no chance required formal report and submitted it pulling them in a wagon or assisting that smoke will enter your home. The to the House and Senate. them. only sign of smoke that you should see "For the past 25 years, study after is what comes out of your roof vent. study identified the problems and Everyone is asked to decorate their The type of smoke that will be used is challenges we all face," Mann said. bike and themselves for this event. It nontoxic and is manufactured for this "In most cases, they were obvious, will begin at Pamela’s Garden on use. This testing will only last for such as volunteer recruiting and Alder Street and parade throughout the about three to four minutes in each retention. Now, for the first time, we neighborhood and back for a rodeo, area. are focusing our collective energies on bike safety inspections and food. All finding solutions to these problems." people interested in participating are to register ahead of time by calling Pam The 25-member commission was at Pamela’s Garden, 724-339-3113. created through Senate Resolution 60, th Please register by May 27 . Come which was passed by the General join us for the fun!! Assembly in 2003. After a series of Wearing a poppy came to mean meetings, the commission drafted its Honor the dead and help the living. formal report containing suggested legislative actions to improve The poppy, which grew wild on the Burrell Youth Commission emergency services delivery battlefields of Flanders, became, in the Needs Volunteers statewide. Some of these legislative minds of the doughboys of World War recommendations are: City News

· changing statutory language to This year’s free event will be held on define emergency services more Saturday, June 11, 2005 clearly 8am – 9am: Registration & Fishing Demonstrations · adopting legislation to reform the 9am – 11:30am: Fishing Derby delivery of emergency services Braeview Volunteer Fire 12 noon: Presentation of prizes · reforming current emergency Company, City of Lower Burrell All kids ages 15 and younger are services laws Company #4, is hosting a welcome to participate. Registration Fundraising Golf Scramble is free. Every child registered will · offiering tax credits to current Oak Lake Golf Course receive a prize! A FREE lunch is emergency services personnel and May 14, 2005 at 9:00 am available for each child from 11am – employers of volunteer 12 noon. Catch & Release only. emergency service workers To participate or become a sponsor contact BVFC at 724-224-8085 or Great Prizes for the biggest fish caught · establishing grant programs that [email protected] in each category! Fishing helpers will would encourage emergency be available to assist the children and services volunteerism For a donation of $65 per golfer you measure fish. will enjoy 18 holes with a cart, a hot The Commission includes fire and dog and pop at the turn, a luncheon, For further information please call emergency medical service leaders, beer and soda. Prizes will be awarded 724-335-2679 local government representatives, key to the top three finishing teams, for state agency staff, and members of the longest drive, closest to the pin and How did they know? General Assembly. more! Come have fun while supporting your community. Did you ever wonder how someone According to Mann, SR 60 represents Remember, your donations are was privy to events occurring in the the first time all involved partners, completely tax deductible. namely first responders, local city prior to any public announcement? The answer is simple. government officials, and members of Outing Coordinators: Doug Montanari They subscribe to the city’s electronic the Legislature, were at the table 724-337-9161 and Betsy Fennell 724- distribution of the newsletter. Join in working together toward an acceptable 334-0131 resolution to the problems facing and be better informed by receiving community public safety programs. the newsletter before it goes to print.

"We are at a critical turning point and Burrell Lake Park To enroll, respond to we are moving forward," Mann added. Kids Fishing Derby [email protected] "The future of Pennsylvania's fire and Type newsletter in the subject line and emergency medical services depends Sponsored by Tri-County Trout Club provide your name, address and e-mail on what we accomplish as a result of and Lower Burrell Parks and address. All information is the report." Recreation Committee confidential and our site is spam free.

City of Lower Burrell PRSRT STD 2800 Bethel St. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lower Burrell, PA 15068-3227 NEW KENSINGTON, PA Phone: (724) 335-9875Fax: (724) 335-9881 PERMIT NO. 332