Towns

Baldwin Borough

Council authorized borough Manager Tim Little Aug. 14 to write letters to local state and federal representatives noting the borough's opposition to a helipad recently placed at the Leland Point Apartments. Mr. Little added, however, that no further complaints have been received from residents about the site.

The helipad has a temporary permit from the state's Bureau of Aviation, but it expires Nov. 3.

Council rejected an amended delinquent account collection plan proposed by the Pennsylvania American Water Co. that would have permitted them to keep all collected monies until their outstanding payments were met. The present agreement provides that delinquent collections are shared equally with the borough.

Council authorized the borough solicitor to take appropriate legal action to return some $36,000 in escrow funds that date back to 1991 to the borough's capital improvement fund. The escrow funds resulted from the collection of various permit fees required in large construction projects.

Fifteen of the police department's 24 members will take an exam today for a lieutenant's position.

Although the borough provided the textbooks to be used by the candidates at a cost of $6,000, it will not do so for future exams. It was noted that the borough was the only community that provided this service. The borough is reimbursed for books it returns in good condition.

Council is expected to award the promotion Oct. 23.

Council President Marian Joseph said the borough should discontinue the annual Halloween parade because of the cost for the event, which she said last year attracted 100 people. But Councilman David Depretis suggested that the library could sponsor it.

The borough's volunteer committee, all staff, last year purchased 400 plastic pumpkins at a cost of $640. The borough manager said that office employees just don't have the time to coordinate the activity.

Brentwood

Council last week said it will advertise for a new borough manager. Brentwood has not had a manager since 2005, when Ann Scott served for approximately seven months. She left her position for a higher-paying job in the private sector. Ms. Scott had been the borough's only professional manager.

Jay Lieb, acting council president, said that after Ms. Scott's departure, council debated whether to hire a new manager, but has decided to go ahead with the process of interviewing for the position.

Mr. Lieb said council will look for a candidate with experience, a strong personality, and a financial background. The manager would run the day-to-day business of the municipality.

Council wants the job filled by the new year.

Two in the audience expressed concern at the meeting over the costs. Ms. Scott was paid approximately $60,000 annually.

Council intends to vote to proceed with advertising for the position at its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Dr. Alexander Lese, past-president and senior adviser of the Brentwood Business Owner's Association, announced at last week's council meeting that the association has secured two grants, totaling $75,000, for use on various projects.

A majority of the grant money will be spent on lampposts on Brownsville Road; then money will be spent for white lights for the trees and an outdoor sound system on Brownsville Road. A portion of the money also will be used to improve Brentwood's Fourth of July parade.

Dr. Lese announced that a total of $3,000 was secured for state-of-the-art taser guns for use in the police department, with $1,000 for police training on the equipment.

Dr. Lese said he worked with state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, over the past two years to secure the grants.

Whitehall

Borough Manager Jim Leventry reported Aug. 15 that recent repairs by the Pennsylvania American Water Co. to several broken waterlines damaged three devices that activate the timing of traffic signals at the intersection of Route 51 and Borough Park Drive and the intersection of Route 51 and Beall Drive. The borough will seek reimbursement from the company for the estimated $3,400 cost to replace the controls.

Saturday's Community Day begins at 9 a.m. with the annual 5K race and ends at 4 with a performance by Premier Dance and Cheer. The event, with its many food booths, is at Brennan Plaza and at Snyder Park. Also, a section of Southvue Drive between Meadow Park Drive and Wheaton Drive will be closed.

Sister Margaret Carney will be honored as the borough's Person of the Year. In 2004, Sister Carney was named the first woman president of St. Bonaventure University in New York. In 1988, she was the first woman to graduate from the Franciscan University of Rome at the doctoral level.

Sister Margaret spent many years at the Sisters of Divine Providence motherhouse in Whitehall and served as the religious superior of the congregation for eight years.

In addition, community service awards will be presented to several members of the Caste Village Merchants Association who have led fund raising to benefit the volunteer fire department. They are: Donald R. Brown, former manager of the local State Store, who started the popular Sunday summer car cruise at the shopping center, and brothers Tony and Vince Bonacci, owners of Frank's Shoes. They sponsor an annual motorcycle event.

Also to be recognized for community service are Sharon Julian-Milas, the borough's children's librarian who has been named the new director of the Pleasant Hills Public Library, and former borough secretary Edmond Reddy, who helped established the Baldwin-Whitehall youth football program.

The borough will also recognize several individuals as Good Neighbors, based upon the nominations of residents.

Schools

Baldwin-Whitehall

The school board last week received for review copies of various academic curriculum prepared by the district's high school reform committee.

John Wilkinson, assistant superintendent of secondary education, asked the board to approve using the course work in the new school year.

Director Nancy Sciulli DiNardo said that procedures or protocols expected of parents and children regarding various school activities should be listed in the district's student handbook instead of being distributed in a multitude of flyers. Randal Lutz said that the suggestions would be reviewed by the district's administration.

Although school board meetings have been audio- taped for the past six months, directors voiced their disapproval of it since they never voted on the measure.

"We had no knowledge about this and it is wrong," said Director John Schmotzer, who suggested that the existing tapes be destroyed.

Tim Winner, the district's technology specialist, who tapes the meetings through the board's microphone system in its regular meeting room, indicated that former finance and operations director Ken Gorton had requested it as a courtesy for secretary Mary Anne Kraus, who transcribes the minutes.

Ms. Kraus said, however, that she has only referred to the tapes once.

Board solicitor Edward Lawrence said that the written minutes are the only official records of meetings and that the tapes should be erased after the minutes are approved. He will review the matter.

South Park

The district has implemented an automated system that will notify parents by phone of any impending emergencies, weather-related dismissals and important school events.

Also parents will use the service to keep up with their child's homework and school notices.

The first school newsletter, The South Park Circular, summer and fall edition, has been published by the school district. The Circular will continue as a summer and winter edition.

The district has updated the Dual Enrollment Policy because of a recent grant from the state Department of Education. High school seniors with 25 credits for graduation and a 2.5 quality point average will be able to take courses at Community College that can be applied to their college credits.

The first annual South Park Leisure Education Day -- called Sparkle -- sponsored by the South Park Elementary Center Parent-Teacher Organization, is set for 5 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the school.

The idea is to welcome students and parents in to the new school year. The evening will be filled with a carnival, games, food and field and track activities. For more and fees, call 412-655-0164.