Monday, December 17, 2012
Officials are expected to vote on a budget on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
The 2013 Plum Borough preliminary budget included a sanitation fee, but officials are saying that will be removed. A special meeting to approve the final budget has been scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at the borough building. The $11.67 million preliminary budget holds the line on taxes and includes a $5-a-month increase to sanitation fees. However, Councilman Mike Dell, chair of the finance committee, said the fee has been removed and the 2012 surplus will be used to balance the budget. The fee would generate about $600,000, but Dell said that due to the recent changes in Earned Income Tax withholding, the borough received five quarters of payments versus the usual four—meaning the borough's end-of-year surplus increased. …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Officials are saying this is a "long time coming."
After almost a year, the new Plum Baseball & Softball Association has a lease for the borough-owned ballfields on Ross Hollow Road. Earlier this week, Plum Council approved the 25-year lease with the PBSA for eight ballfields. The association will pay $1 per year. Councilman John Anderson said conditions of the lease are similar to those of other sporting organizations in the borough. Among the provisions are: Anderson thanked borough staff and the association's board for their work on the lease. Last year, officials terminated the lease of the Plum Borough Athletic Association after citing several lease violations. After a lengthy legal battle, the PBAA disbanded and the PBSA formed. "This has been a long time coming," said Councilman …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Chief Frank Monaco will be out for a few weeks.
The Plum police Chief is taking some time off due to an undisclosed illness. According to the Plum Advance Leader, Mayor Rich Hrivnak confirmed Chief Frank Monaco is ill and will be out for a few weeks. Lt. Jeffrey Armstrong will direct the daily operation of the police department. At Monday night's Plum Council meeting, Council President Mike Doyle asked borough residents to keep the chief and his family in their prayers during a routine moment of silence. Leave your get well wishes for the chief in the comments section! _____________________ Plum-Oakmont Patch is on Facebook and on Twitter. Don't forget to sign up for our daily email newsletter by clicking here.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Four new public works employees will begin in January, while two will retire next year.
The Plum Public Works Department will say good-bye to two familiar faces and welcome four new ones next year. On Monday, borough council approved the early retirements of public works Director William Berchick and public works employee Dom Franco. They also hired four new laborers—Shaun Williams, Edward Brodak, Justin Lauffer and Richard Ruskiewicz. Borough Manager Mike Thomas said they would be paid about $15.50 per hour for the first year. Berchick has been director of the department for about 23 years. His retirement will be effective May 10, 2013. Franco, who has been with the department for about 10 years, will retire in January. As part of their early retirement agreements, the borough will pay healthcare for Berchick and Franco …
Friday, November 16, 2012
The 2013 preliminary Plum budget holds the line on taxes, but residents might pay $5 more per month in sanitation fees.
Plum residents most likely won't experience a tax increase in 2013, but borough officials are considering implementing a $5-a-month increase to sanitation fees to balance the budget. On Wednesday, council unanimously approved an $11.67 million preliminary budget that holds the line on taxes and already includes the sanitation fee increase. The fee would generate about $600,000. However, Councilman Mike Dell said the finance committee will meet in the next two weeks to discuss if the fee increase will stand or if money will be taken from the borough's $1 million surplus—or a combination of both. A similar fee was discussed last year, but officials tabled the matter. Plum's millage rate remains 4.3 mills, meaning a resident would pay $430 …
Friday, October 12, 2012
Here's a list of items discussed by Plum Council at its regular meeting on Wednesday.
Council discussed several items during its regular meeting on Wednesday. Here's a roundup: The Highlands Officials OK'd the final phase of the Highlands housing development along Old Leechburg Road. The last phase includes three culdesacs and 29 single-family homes. To read more about it, click here. Traffic Calming Motorists in Plum soon won't be able to make turns onto Trestle Road from Monroeville-Trestle Road during rush hour. Council passed an ordinance prohibiting turns onto the road from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Fridays. The action will be taken in an effort to prevent speeding on the neighborhood road. Councilman John Anderson inquired about local traffic and delivery trucks that need to go on the road at that time, but …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Due to the Columbus Day holiday, the Plum Council voting meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Here's a roundup of items that will be discussed by Plum Council on Wednesday: Traffic Calming Motorists in Plum soon won't be able to make turns onto Trestle Road from Monroeville-Trestle Road during rush hour. Plum Council is expected to pass an ordinance prohibiting turns onto the road from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Fridays. The action will be taken in an effort to prevent speeding on the neighborhood road. The Highlands Officials also are expected to approve a the final phase of the Highlands housing development. The last phase includes three culdesacs and 29 single-family homes. To read more about it, click here. Municipal Authority Council is looking into increasing the term of existence of the Plum Municipal Authority by 12 …
Thursday, October 4, 2012
The last phase for the housing development includes 29 single-family homes.
A developer is seeking final approval for the last 29 homes of the Highlands plan. On Monday, the planning commission OK'd the plans. Plum Council now must approve them at its meeting next Wednesday. The Highlands housing development is located along Old Leechburg Road. Zoned R-2, the plan consists of single-family homes, duplexes, town homes and carriage homes. There will be about 204 units when the development is complete. Developer Jim Rumbaugh said the cost of the final 29 homes would range from the low to high $200,000s. Those homes would be located within three culdesacs—named Heather Court, Stirling Drive, Dundee Court and Muirfield Court. "We wanted it to go with the Scottish Highlands theme," he said. Rumbaugh said most of the …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Here's a roundup of items discussed at the Sept. 10 council meeting.
- GOVERNMENT
- Bob Pajich
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Here's a list of items discussed by council on Monday: Trestle Road Some changes are coming to Trestle Road in order to slow down drivers. Changes include preventing drivers from making turns on the road from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and utilizing speed-monitoring equipment the police already owns. Residents have been pushing for some action for about a year. To read more, click here. Contract Officials have reached a contract agreement with the borough clerical staff. Council approved a three-year contract extension, effective Jan. 1, 2013, with the union that represents the borough’s clerical staff. Staff will receive a 50-cent raise, but will take a 50-percent reduction of sick days. Tires Council approved $5,000 to be used for tires on the …
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Plum Borough residents are planning to address council about the borough's contracted animal control services.
Plum Borough residents who aren't happy with how the current animal control services handles animals are expected to address council on Monday. Since the end of August, residents throughout the east suburbs created a Facebook page called Stop Hoffman Kennels showing their displeasure with Hoffman Kennels of Delmont, which provides services to Plum, Oakmont, Verona and many other communities. The page has 1,315 "likes." Several Plum residents already have signed a "Protect our Pets" petition—as of Friday night, it had 294 signatures. Sandi Roach-Heller and Toni Soxman are among the Plum residents who are encouraging others to attend Monday's council meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the borough building. The residents who are part of…
Heather
10:25 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
Hope he gets well soon! more ›