Councilman John Ferris on Monday criticized a $21,000 annual pay raise given to police Chief Chris Kelly in action taken following an executive session held at council's April 8 agenda meeting.

"That's a lot of money," he said, noting the matter should have been handled at the regular monthly public business meeting instead of at the agenda session.

Council President Marian Joseph responded that the agenda session is also open to the public.

Mr. Ferris was absent from the earlier meeting this month where council unanimously approved the raise which makes the chief's annual salary $115,500.

After council's recent review of salaries paid to police chiefs in boroughs comparable in size to Baldwin, it was determined that the raise was warranted.

• Although $400,000 had been budgeted for the 2008 road program, the use of half that amount to cover unexpected overages in last year's program will drastically restrict the scope of resurfacing efforts this year, according to the borough manager who said that efforts would be made to prioritize streets to be repaved.

Public works supervisor Mark Stephenson said he would request $1 million in next year's budget.

• For this year's summer swimming season, council has hired 15 lifeguards at an hourly rate of $7.57. The number is an increase of two over last year and, according to Councilman John Ferris, is needed to provide adequate staffing throughout the summer.

The decision to use vending machines this year at the pool's concession stand instead of offering counter food sales has reduced the number of summer employees hired for that position to 7, half the amount of last year.

Jefferson Hills Manor, located at 448 Old Clairton Road, will hold an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. next Thursday as part of a new volunteer drive. The Shining Star Volunteer Team at the nursing home's Rehabilitation Center will be recognized, and staff will be on hand to answer questions for community members interested in becoming a volunteer. Tours also will be available. For more, call Diane Pawlowski at 412-653-1128.

• The public library received a $5,000 grant Saturday from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The money will be used to replace the worn carpet on the library's main floor.

Crafters and artists are needed for the second annual "Rev Up and Roll" Car Cruise and Craft Festival June 22 at the Allegheny County Fairgrounds in South Park.

Last year's event attracted more than 15,000 people and 70 vendors.

To participate, call 412-559-7039 or log on to www.revupand roll.com for an application. All proceeds will benefit the Bethel Park Community Foundation.

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God will sponsor their second annual Arbor Day paper drive tomorrow. Newspapers, magazines, catalogs and other paper to be recycled can be dropped off in the green and yellow collection bins in the parking lot adjacent to the former St. Francis Academy building, 1401 Hamilton Road in Whitehall. Due to restrictions, cardboard, telephone books, plastic and nonpaper items will not be accepted.

The paper drive is an extension of the Sisters' ongoing efforts to preserve the environment that include participation in the Abitibi Paper Retriever Recycling Program. In 2007, with the help of friends, staff and neighbors, the Sisters collected 109 tons of paper to be recycled by the Abitibi Paper Recycling Program. The program raised $2,180 that will be used to support the Sisters' ministries and lend much-needed assistance as they care for retired and elderly Sisters. For more, call 412-885-7232.

• Council announced bids on this year's road program will be opened May 14 with an award to be made at council's May 21 meeting. Ten streets have been designated for paving improvements as part of a $605,000 road program budget.

• Council also said last week that the borough is looking for a qualified person to fill a vacancy on the Uniform Construction Code board.

Interested persons should call the borough office at 412-884-0505 for more information on the three-year term position.

• The borough is reviewing a new agreement with the South Hills Interfaith Ministries for the group's annual participation in the summer recreation program at Prospect Park.

Also under review is a one-year contract with Lazzaro's, of Trafford, to operate the borough's swimming pool concession stand with the borough to receive an estimated commission of $900 for the season.

• The borough's annual bulk collection day, when residents can dispose of many hard-to-get-rid-of items not typically collected on regular trash collection days, will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17 at the public works parking lot.

The collection is restricted to Whitehall residents and will be monitored by a borough employee.

Call the borough at 412-884-0505 for a list of prohibited items.

School directors April 17 heard a report from high school English teacher Richard Yount who lead volunteer trips to Mississippi to provide help and support to victims of Hurricane Katrina. He said support for the program has been overwhelming and that the large number of volunteers for this year's Thanksgiving trip held Nov. 18 -25 resulted in some being turned down.

"Our students have been tremendous ambassadors for the school district and Pittsburgh area," he said. Superintendent Lawrence Korchnak expressed his appreciation to the project and said, "Education goes beyond the walls of the classroom."

• Directors heard an update from Rox Serrao, the interim principal of the Harrison Middle School, about new programs and evaluation efforts introduced this year to improve student performance especially in reading and the language arts.

• The school board unanimously approved a proposed Allegheny Intermediate Unit Program of Services budget of $3.78 million for next year that calls for a 4.4 percent increase in the district's allocation. Director Martin Schmotzer questioned the increase that exceeds the inflation rate. The superintendent said he would review the possibility of the district providing some services presently provided through the Intermediate Unit.

• Directors renewed a 1-year contract with Prints Charming of Jefferson Hills to serve as the district's photographer by a 7-2 vote with members John Egger and Edward Moeller dissenting.

• By a 6-3 vote, directors approved the purchase of high school furniture for use in the 2008-09 school year at a cost of $373,764. School board members John Egger, Nancy Sciulli Dinardo and Martin Schmotzer opposed the action.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers Footballers basketball team will play a team of Baldwin-Whitehall faculty and staff at 8 p.m. May 17 in the Baldwin High School gym, Whitehall. Tickets are available in the high school lobby from noon to 2 p.m. April 26 or by contacting Susan Hayhurst at 412-882-0829; Judy Hines at 412-882-4645; or Rosemary Metz at 412-882-9327.

At its Monday meeting, the school board unanimously passed a motion to name the libraries at both Elroy and Moore Elementary Schools in memory of Brian P. Lydon.

Mr. Lydon, who served as principal of Elroy Elementary School in the Brentwood District, died suddenly in January. Mr. Lydon had been principal at the school since 2006. He was a 1988 graduate of Brentwood High School and taught 10 years at Moore Elementary.

The exact names of the libraries have not yet been determined.

• The board approved the proposed budget for 2008-2009. Copies of the budget are on public display at district offices.

• The school board passed a motion to authorize the administration to request bids for four items in the district: replacement of the carpet in the Elroy and Moore Elementary School libraries; upgrades to the fire and HVAC systems in the middle and high school; acquisition of a wireless clock system for the middle and high school; and upgrades to the district-wide phone system.

• The board passed a motion authorizing Superintendent Ronald Dufalla to accept student teachers, student observers, and nursing student preceptors in the district during the 2008-2009 school year. The students will come from neighboring colleges and universities.

• The board also passed a motion authorizing Dr. Dufalla to employ up to 8 students or former students for temporary summer custodial work at the rate of $7.15 an hour.

St. Elizabeth School, located at 1 Grove Place, Pleasant Hills, will host a Preschool Preview from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for prospective (2008-09) preschool parents and their children. During the program, children will enjoy hands-on activities such as playtime, crafts, snack and a story. Open to anyone interested in knowing more about the preschool curriculum. To register or for more information call 412-881-2958.

School directors approved the following during a meeting last week:

• High school graduation will be held at 7 p.m. June 6 in the high school gymnasium.

• The school calendar for 2008-09 school year has been approved. No changes have been made from this year.

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation will, on occasion, use the vacant South Park High School on 2178 Ridge Road for training purposes. In return the agency will provide in-service training, professional development for the staff, student crisis management, and guidance to make safer schools.

• South Park High School Football Boosters will hold a youth football camp at Eagle Stadium June 9-13.

• Joe Oliphant, a student at California University of Pennsylvania will complete a principal's internship at the elementary center from June 30 to Aug. 8.

• Approved the purchase of Harcourt 2008 reading series "Storytown" by the South Park Elementary Center at a cost of $116,863.

• Hired Tedesco Construction Co. to seed and grade the excess dirt pile at South Park High School for $115,000.

• Accepted the resignation of John Pastorius, the girls' head volleyball coach and the assistant boys' volleyball coach.

• Hired Ashley Sickles to be the guided study hall instructor at the high and middle schools for the rest of the school year.