In a region where rising costs sometimes result in diminished municipal services, Avalon, Kilbuck and Ben Avon Heights are saving money by sharing a public works crew.

Avalon has contracted out its Department of Public Works workers to the other two towns.

Neither Kilbuck nor Ben Avon Heights has a public works department, so Avalon manager Harry Dilmore asked if the two towns would like to buy time from Avalon's three-member public works department. Kilbuck contracted for four weeks, and Ben Avon Heights bought two. Both communities will pay $1,500 per week.

In the neighboring municipalities, Avalon workers will spend 32 to 34 hours a week painting lines on streets, erecting street signs and patching small potholes. They also will clean storm sewers and clear roadside trash and weeds.

"We don't have a road crew, and we couldn't get anyone to bid on these jobs," John Fader, chairman of Kilbuck supervisors, said.

Avalon already shares its manager and administrative staff with Kilbuck, which buys those services. Kilbuck residents go to the Avalon borough building for municipal business or to pay bills. Kilbuck no longer uses its administrative building and is working to sell it.