Feb 6, 2018 3 min read

A $5,257,740 budget that includes a 1/10 mil increase was approved by Canonsburg Council at its Dec. 11 meeting. The total millage for 2018 is 3.94 mils. The 2018 budget was approved by a 5-1 vote, with Councilman Paul Sharkady voting “no.” Council president R.T. Bell was absent.

At an earlier meeting, Bell noted that the budget is “bare bone,” adding that, “The community over the last 20 years has functioned well and has new investors coming into town. If taxes are raised, it is just to keep the borough above ground.”

The seasonal closing of Town Park’s skateboard park prompted a visit to council by Christina Hollinsworth on behalf of her children. She said she understood why the park was closed during cold or inclement weather, but asked that the park be open at all other times.

Public Works Director Tom Lawrence responded that the decision to close the skateboard park is at the discretion of the park board, but added that there is not a way to monitor which days the park could be open or closed.

The park, which closed for the season Dec. 1, contains a metal apparatus that freezes and becomes icy, which becomes a liability issue.

Councilwoman Tina Bails said the park board is discussing the possibility of a concrete skateboard park as well as relocating the current park to be near the basketball courts.

Work costs revealed

Also at the December meeting, KLH engineer Bob Robinson told council that Roto-Rooter’s work on North Central Avenue, Elm Alley and Yoney Drive encountered overruns due to buried manholes, which prompted a decision to repair a larger section of the sanitary sewer. Final payment of $141,781 included the change order of $39,381.

Robinson also reported that the senior center roof replacement must be completed within 90 days of the notice to proceed.

The Midtown Parking Lot improvements were completed at a cost of $39,071 – under the contracted amount by $265.90.

Street repair updated

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) estimates for 2018 will include Marple Avenue, Second Street, Murdoch Street and Iron Street milling and resurfacing as well as the addition of ADA ramps where necessary. KLH is preparing the estimates.

Council accepted Lucia Drive into its road network.

Development planned

Code Officer Troy Lucas reviewed a development planned by Robert Halpin of Chicago, Ill., at the former Pittsburgh Bridge Works on 135 Meadow St. Those plans were reviewed and passed by the borough planning commission.

Halpin said a tenant may take occupancy in August, and that he is currently seeking other tenants. n