Commissioners are considering an alarm ordinance that would carry an annual fee for residences and businesses with alarm systems.

The ordinance would augment a 2003 ordinance that requires start-up alarm fees of $25 for residential security systems, $50 for residential fire systems and $100 for commercial and multifamily properties. Under the proposed legislation, the start-up fees would remain, but an annual $35 fee would be assessed, too.

Officials say the new fee is necessary to keep up with administrative costs as well as provide updated property owner and contact information.

Commissioner Jean O'Toole opposed enacting a new fee.

• Engineer Larry Lennon said a parking lot for six to eight cars could be built on the former Glenn Hotel site, 600 Carothers Ave.

However, he added that two retaining walls would be needed to contain the hillside there. No cost was given for such work.

Board President Eileen Meyers said some of Scott's federal Streetscape money that was to have been used to move the light poles along Carothers may be used to pay for the terraced parking lot.

The former hotel was razed after Chartiers Valley School District foreclosed on it in 2006. Ten years worth of back taxes plus fees were owed to the district and Allegheny County. About $6,500 in back taxes are owed to Scott.

• Commissioners discussed having a traffic study done on the feasibility of installing a left-turn arrow on Greentree Road from McMonagle Avenue into the entrance of the Carriage Park apartments.

"It would let a few cars go and would eliminate a lot of congestion," said Commissioner Jim Walther, who noted a resident made the suggestion to him. "It's like a chess game coming up Greentree Road."

Commissioner Betty Ann Connors mentioned instituting a fee of $50 or $100 for the placement of political signs in public areas.

Collier has such a fee, she said. Candidates would get the money back if all of their signs were removed within a certain time frame following elections.

Though he agreed to look at Collier's ordinance, Solicitor Bob McTiernan cautioned that "this is the American Civil Liberties Union's favorite issue."

Also opposing the idea was Bill Wells, of Lindsay Road, who won the Democratic nomination for the open 2nd Ward seat in the May primary despite having 20 of his signs stolen from private properties on his street. Mr. Wells said people who steal signs could put them up after the deadline, causing candidates to lose their refunds.

The high school is looking for marching band graduates to form an Alumni Band that will kick-off the Bethel Park High School Marching Band Festival, to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Bethel Park Stadium.

All participants will be given a T-shirt to wear for the performance. Bethettes will be provided shakers, but majorettes must bring their own batons. Sousaphones and percussion instruments will also be provided.

The rehearsal for the event will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a picnic at 6 p.m.

For more and to register, visit www.bpalumniband.info. Deadline is July 30.