Oakmont Council Notebook: August Voting Meeting

Here's a roundup of items discussed at the Aug. 8 Oakmont Council meeting:

Money Shifted in Budget to Accommodate Road Repairs in 2011

Oakmont Borough Manager Bruce Jamison discussed the shifting of funds from the general fund and other budgeted categories to the road repair budget to account for unforeseen repairs in 2011, such as sink holes and catch basin repairs.

“It’s been a bad years for the roads around here,” said Councilman Tim Favo.

Jamison said the moves will not affect the pieces the funds were taken from and council will probably have to do this task again later in the year for the same reasons.

Work on Maryland Avenue in Jeopardy of Delay

Council Member Tim Milberger made a motion for council to approve the work on catch basins and repair of Maryland Avenue by UNS Construction, but a representative for the company said bricks will not be available until mid-September—two weeks later than council wanted to start the project.

“I’m just afraid we’ll get into snow,” Jamison said.

Council agreed to postpone voting on accepting Milberger’s motion until it discussed different options with the construction company, such as receiving bricks in September, storing them until next year and having the company rebid in 2012 and start the work.

Riverside Park Deep in Renovations

Jamison said the park renovations were moving along as planned.

“It looks like a war zone [at the park],” he said.

According to Jamison, pavilions have been removed and prepping for the new pavilions has begun; trees also have been removed and the entire tree removal will complete next week; the water authority started this week replacing water and sewer lines;  and the playground has been removed.

“We’re exactly where we want to be for Northern Athletic Construction to start Monday,” he said. “We’re on schedule.”

Civil Service Commission to Administer Sergeant Exam to Eligible Oakmont Police Officers

Council approved the authorization of the Civil Service Commission to test for sergeants within the Oakmont Police Department. However, Council Member Kitty Vagley proposed this is contingent upon council finding out if the new officer, who has yet to be found, for the department would be eligible.

“There are certain requirements for tests like these,” she said. “A new officer may not be able to take the exam if they’ve taken another test recently or just joined the force.”

Jamison agreed to send a memo to the Civil Service Commission asking about the eligibility of officers, and council will wait for the testing until it gets more information.