Politics & Government

Verona Council Notebook: June Voting Meeting

A roundup of things discussed at the June 14 meeting.

Here's a look at some of the items discussed at the June 14 Verona Council meeting:

Grants
The borough has received federal CD-37 grants for several projects.

Borough engineer Larry Seiler said he previously had been notified that the borough would receive money for four projects, but that has been reduced to three because of the state of the federal budget.

Seiler said the borough will receive $47,000 for improvements to Riverbank Park, $21,620 for work on West Road Avenue and $40,000 for the streets and lighting in the business district.

Seiler said the borough had been expecting to receive an extra grant for manhole rehabilitation, but it was eliminated.

"They told us we can apply for CD-38 (grants), which is in the process now," he said. "They're going to try to make it up to us next year."

The borough now is ready to secure bids and start scheduling work, Seiler said.

Riverbank Park
Officials will be awarding a contract for the Riverbank Park tot lot project at the June 28 work session.

The borough received a $20,000 grant from the county health department for the project.

Revitalization
Councilwoman Rhoda Gemellas-Whorf is hoping to implement a law that would allow officials to fight blight in the borough.

She said officials are looking into adopting an ordinance that would give them permission to seek judgement against the assets of property owners who aren't taking care of their properties in accordance with the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act of 2010.

"Instead of just sitting and watching (properties) fall apart, we can take action," she said.

Tax Collector
Officials expect to appoint Keystone Collections Group of Irwin as the borough's earned income tax collector at the June 28 work session.

It's required under the Earned Income Tax Collection Consolidation Act—Act 32 of 2008—that the state reduce the number of earned income tax collectors to no more than 69. There currently are 560 tax collectors.

The Allegheny Southeast Tax Collection Committee—which represents the district that includes Plum, Oakmont, Verona, the Plum School District and the Riverview School District—chose Keystone Collections Group as the district collector. Community and district officials must appoint the firm by July 1. 

Police Car
Officials still are looking to sell a police car.

Mayor Dave Ricupero said the borough's 2007 Ford Crown Victoria has been posted for sale on Craig's List for about a month. He said the borough hasn't received any bids yet.

Officials are asking for a minimum offer of $4,800 and decided to give it some more time before considering lowering the price.

Upcoming events
There are several events coming up in the borough:

  • The Farmer's Market started this week and will be held on Thursdays at the park next to the borough building from 2 to 6 p.m. Vendors interested in participating should call Rhoda Gemellas-Worf at 412-828-3607.
  • The borough also will hold flea markets the last Saturday of June, July and August in the parking lot at the intersection of East Railroad and Center avenues. The first event will be on June 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15 per space for vendors. To secure vendor space, call Neil Santoriello at 412-795-4658 or Rhoda Gemellas-Worf at 412-828-3607.
  • Author Jim Hollock will hold a book signing for his book, "Born to Lose," which tells the story of criminal Stanley Hoss, including the gunning down of Verona police officer Joe Zanella in 1969. It will be held on June 25 at 1 p.m. at the borough building. Attorney Edgar Snyder, who represented Hoss; police officers who worked on the case; and Zanella's friends and family will speak at the event. Light refreshments will follow. There is no cost to attend, but books will cost $35. Sponsored by the Verona Historical Society, the event will benefit the borough police department. 

The next meeting is June 28 at 7 p.m. at the borough building, 736 East Railroad Ave.

Find out what's happening in Plum-Oakmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here