Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Riverbank Park, computers and more discussed at the Verona Council meeting.
Here's a roundup of items discussed at the July 10 Verona Council meeting: Riverbank Park The renovations at Riverbank Park on Arch Street have been completed. The project included the paving of the tennis and basketball courts; line striping; new fencing; lighting along the walkway; the removal and planting of trees; new trash bins; and removable tennis nets. The borough received a county grant to perform the project. Councilwoman Rhoda Gemellas-Worf said she would like to see mulch in the entire playground because it's been hard for public works employees to cut the grass. She said mulch from the tot lot spreads to the grassy area, so it becomes a safety issue for anyone who would attempt to cut the grass. Mayor Dave Ricupero said the …
Thursday, March 22, 2012
New police car, Riverbank Park and Easter Egg Hunt among the things discussed.
Here's a roundup of items discussed at the March 13 Verona Council meeting. School Traffic At least one Verona official is concerned about the closing of a portion of South Avenue during Verner Elementary's dismissal. Currently, the road closes Herron Avenue and First Street. Councilman Kevin Larkin said that causes a safety issue because it diverts traffic to "unsafe areas," such as alleys and back roads like Poplar Street, where children can be walking home from school. "I can't believe a kid hasn't been hit yet," he said. Residents suggested making some of those alley ways and back streets one-way during school dismissal to prevent motorists from using them as a way around the closure. New Police Car Verona Mayor Dave Ricupero is …
Monday, December 19, 2011
River ramp, parking and blighted properties were among the items discussed at the Dec. 13 meeting.
Here's a roundup of items discussed at the Dec. 13 Verona Council workshop meeting. Blighted Properties Now that Verona Borough officials have established neighborhood blight protections and enforcement regulations, they're going to act on them. Councilwoman Rhoda Gemellas-Worf said officials currently are looking at taking action against the owners of six blighted properties in the borough. "In January, we're going to be very diligent in addressing vacant homes," she said. "Hopefully we can get them back on the tax records." Gemellas-Worf and Mayor Dave Ricupero said they are happy with the code enforcement and building inspector's job in the borough. "You can tell a difference in Verona," she said. "We've professionalized it." Ricupero …
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Riverbank Park improvements and new police officers were among the items discussed at the Nov. 29 Verona Council meeting.
Here's a roundup of items discussed by Verona Council at its meeting earlier this week: Riverbank Park Improvements to Riverbank Park on Arch Street are on the horizon. Earlier this week, Verona Council hired Sports & Recreation to work on the park for $67,315. Borough engineer Larry Seiler said the cost will be reduced to $60,515 after some site plan modifications. The borough has received a $47,000 federal CD-37 grant for improvements to the park. The projects includes the paving of the tennis and basketball courts; line striping; new fencing; lighting along the walkway; the removal and planting of trees; new trash bins; and removable tennis nets. Seiler said the majority of the work will be completed in the spring. A new tot lot was …
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A new, kid-friendly play structure offers playtime opportunities for younger children.
Arika Simmers of Verona used to drive to Penn Hills Park any time she wanted to take her young son, Ian, to the playground. Though she lives just a few blocks from Riverbank Park, it wasn't kid-friendly enough for her child—until recently. A new tot lot, complete with slides, bridges and easy-to-climb steps occupies the farthest end of the park, near the swings. Installation was complete in mid-July. "My son wouldn't go up the long steps for the other slide in the park," Simmers said. "He was too scared. The new play area is so much better than what was here before. "It's really nice that we can walk a few blocks away and not have to drive. Ian loves to sit here and look out into the river. When he's done, he can play." The borough …
Friday, June 17, 2011
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 …
