The Carnegie Clutter Crew will be conducting a fall cleanup at 9 a.m. Saturday on Flynn Avenue, Hulton Street, Cubbage Street and surrounding areas.

Volunteers interested in helping or who would like to donate cleaning items, call Traci or Boyd Houy, 412-276-0425.

Council members voted 5-2 to authorize their engineering firm, Gateway Engineers, to prepare design specifications for the Clearview Avenue storm drainage system and the road surface, including curbing, at a cost not to exceed $40,000. The area involved is between Harris and Barr streets.

Dan Cindric and Susan Viola opposed the action, and council members Tom Byers and Jack Donovan were absent.

The project is intended to correct water runoff and erosion problems that have caused a shifting and destabilization of the street. It could cost as much as $1 million and will be done over the next four or five years using money budgeted for sewer improvements.

In a related matter and because of unstable road conditions, parking has been prohibited on the eastern side of Clearview between 601 and Willard Alley.

• Parking on Sterrett Street will be restricted to one side as borough officials authorized signs and enforcement of an ordinance that had gone unnoticed for years. It was noted that residential parking on both sides of the street posed safety concerns and limited access to emergency vehicles.

• Council reappointed Betsy Martin to a three-year term on the borough's park and shade tree committee.

• Preliminary budget meetings indicate there will be no tax increase as council intends to hold the property tax rate at 7 mills.

• Design specifications being prepared by HDR Engineering Inc. for repairs to Blacks Bridge are expected to be completed this month, according to borough Manager Doug Sample, who said the project will be placed for bid early next year.

The bridge, which is adjacent to Crafton Elementary School, carries Crafton Avenue over the Port Authority's West Busway.

The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority approved a $4.2 million loan Oct. 27 that will enable the borough to upgrade its water system.

The state funds will be used to construct a 5,000-gallon water storage tank and replace two miles of deteriorated water distribution lines to eliminate water outages, and provide a reliable water source for residents and for fire protection and to improve water service in Monaca Heights.

Supervisors voted 4-0 to spend a maximum of $16,000 to pave the entrance road to Olsen Park and the parking lot. Supervisor Craig Swen was absent.

The approval carries the stipulation that there must be money left over from the program. The road department will do the work.

Commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 27 to approve a new employment contract with Randy Lubin, director of public services, for the period Jan. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2015.

The new contract calls for a starting salary of $61,800 and 3.5 percent pay increases in each of the succeeding years. Though he voted yes, Commissioner Jim Walther said he didn't see the need for a contract.

• Commissioner Jean O'Toole asked about rumors that changes were coming to Walmart at Raceway Plaza. The store is open 24 hours a day.

Manager Denise Fitzgerald said a facade change is being planned to accommodate an expanded food line, including a deli. The store's entrance will be moved to the center of the building.

Because of the square footage involved and the volume of traffic at the site, township Engineer Larry Lennon agreed with Commissioner Jean O'Toole that the proposed changes should be handled first through the planning commission.

• Glendale resident Mary Lou Parente requested that the trees planted in 1990 near the Gregg Street Park be pruned because they are growing into electrical wires and fences.

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