Apr 10, 2002 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

CENTERVILLE – Borough council asked an architectural firm to submit a proposal to plan the renovation of a former utility company building into the new borough building. A representative of Sweeney and Shank Architects of Pittsburgh agreed Tuesday to forward the proposal to the borough a week before the next council meeting.

That meeting is scheduled for May 14.

Council purchased the old Columbia Gas building on Old Route 40 in Denbo Heights for $132,500 last year to convert it into a municipal building with offices, meeting rooms and garages.

Councilman Lou Gajewski said a Sweeney engineer has already toured at the building.

He said the gas company recently replaced some damaged sewer lines, as it agreed to do when the borough bought the building from the utility firm.

Councilman Fred Roberts said the road crew began operating out of the building on March 26.

Councilman Patsy Ricciuti urged council to sell the existing borough building, as soon as possible.

He said council is negotiating a possible sale with the Centerville Sanitary Authority.

The authority’s office is also in the existing borough building and it is where the authority conducts its monthly meetings.

Councilwoman Susie Zebley said if council wants to sell the building to the authority, the sale price should be reasonable so the transaction doesn’t force the authority to raise its rates.

In unrelated business, council agreed to contact two animal control officers that used to work for the borough at different times and ask if either wants the job back.

Glen Shipley and Kim Secreet, both of whom used to work as animal officers for the borough, will be contacted.

Police Chief Save Simon said both were very effective officers.

He said police officers can cite dog owners for allowing their dogs to run loose, but police can not remove or transport animals.

Council President Ed Sukal said police are not permitted to transport animals in patrol cars that are used when people are taken into custody.

He also said animal control officers must have a kennel to house animals that they’ve captured.

In other law enforcement news, Mark Costello will begin working as a part-time police officer this week.

Council hired him last month, but he couldn’t start working until the borough received his police certification documents.

Council also agreed to buy a Gravely riding mower for $6,758. Roberts said he recommended the Gravely over other brands that were slightly less expensive because it has a rollbar that would help protect borough workers if it were to tip over.