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Carnegie
Council has approved a site plan for a proposed pharmacy/coffee shop in the historic former U.S. postal building, which is vacant on East Main Street. The approval Jan. 14 was contingent upon the receipt of any necessary zoning variances.
Plans call for The Medicine Shoppe to move into the former post office.
"It's been talked about for a long time. I can't wait till it comes to fruition," borough Councilman Mike Sarsfield said.
• Council approved an advertisement for the sale of borough property at the intersection of Mansfield Boulevard and Broadway Street. The site is a parking lot next to the Family Dollar store. Sealed bids will be opened Feb. 2. The minimum bid is $320,000.
• Council member Susan Demko announced that plans are moving forward on the Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark planned for Carnegie Park.
Another public design meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 in the borough building with a designer from Grindline Skateparks in Seattle, who will bring conceptual plans with him.
In a related matter, a new fundraiser based on the lottery is under way, and a murder mystery fundraising dinner is planned for April 26, Mrs. Demko said.
Green Tree
Police Chief Robert Downey Jr., was sworn in Jan. 15 by Mayor C. F. Hammer to head up the borough's 10-man force.
A law enforcement veteran, Chief Downey's past work experiences include the Allegheny County Police, where he served as a tactical SWAT team commander for 20 years, as well as police chief and director of public safety for Slippery Rock University and California University of Pennsylvania.
"I look forward to my role as the police chief for Green Tree Borough and a return to municipal policing," he said. "My primary goal is to provide a highly professional, effective and quality police force to the residents, businesses and visitors of Green Tree Borough and to maintain the high quality of community service that is expected of our department."
Chief Downey, 56, is a resident of Baldwin Township, where he also is an elected commissioner.
A public installation ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 prior to the start of Green Tree Council's monthly meeting.
South Fayette
Residents will not be charged a garbage fee this year.
Commissioners Jan. 16 decided against Manager Ryan Eggleston's recommendation to begin charging a trash collection fee to pay for about $1.1 million in road paving, equipment purchases and other items.
Mr. Eggleston said the township likely will use reserve funds to pave Hickory Heights Road -- a project that could cost an estimated $400,000 -- but will hold off on most other expenditures that had been outlined in the proposed 2013 capital improvement budget.
Commissioners last month approved a separate operating budget of nearly $8.6 million but delayed setting a millage rate until February, due to the Allegheny County property reassessments. Last year's property tax rate was 3.84 mills.
• The township has been awarded a $425,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to help purchase 68 acres of the former Mayview State Hospital property from Aloe Brothers LLC to expand Fairview Park, township officials announced Jan. 16. Brothers David and Mark Aloe had purchased the 170-acre property from the state in March 2011 for $505,505.
• Commissioners Jan. 16 approved plans for Walnut Ridge, a 90-home development on 110 acres on Battle Ridge Road. Land preparation could begin this spring.
Developers Dick Herrington and John Means plan to build single-family houses -- to sell for an average price of $450,000 -- across from Sterling Ridge and behind the Berkshires.
• The South Fayette library board has three new members. Commissioners voted Jan. 16 to appoint Mike Jones and Chetan Wagle to full, three-year terms, and Antonia Gaetano to a partial term. They also reappointed Lee Wetzel and Darlene Susa-Anderson.
First Published January 24, 2013 6:04 am
