Verona Council Notebook: Arcade, Sewage Fee & Tree Burning

In addition to passing a preliminary 2013 budget, Verona Council also discussed the following matters:

Arcade

An arcade might be opening in Verona.

Verona Council is giving two potential business owners 30 days to obtain a lease at 742 Allegheny River Boulevard—the former PNC Bank—for an arcade.

The business partners had requested a conditional use of the property for the arcade and received approval from the planning commission, however, borough solicitor Craig Alexander said a lease is needed to grant final approval.

Because the partners already went through the process, borough officials gave them the time to comply. However, if they can't acquire a lease, the approval is null and void, and it can't be applied to another location.

Sewage Fee

Verona residents might experience a sewage fee increase in 2013.

Officials are considering increasing the current fee in an attempt to cover billing costs and to create a revenue fund to repair sewer lines.

Last month, officials approved a contract with Oakmont Water Authority to collect current and delinquent sewage bills. A representative with the authority said Verona's current fees don't cover the billing costs.

Engineer Larry Seiler said the borough will be responsible for federally mandated sewer repairs, so it would help to have a revenue fund to use for that work.

Council's sewage committee is going to meet between now and council's January workshop meeting to discuss the matter. A decision is expected to be made during that meeting.

Tree Burning

The annual burning of the Christmas trees will be held on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the park next to the borough building. People can drop their trees off at the site after Christmas.

Budget Meeting

A special meeting to pass the final borough budget will be held Thursday, Dec. 27, at 9 a.m. at the borough building. To read more about the budget, click here.

____________________

Plum-Oakmont Patch is on Facebook and on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.