Rattlesnakes seen in South Connellsville
By Joyce Koballa Herald-Standard
SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE – Eight rattlesnakes have been seen by residents in the area of Wine and Fifth streets in the borough over the last few weeks – of them on a front porch.
Carl Schroyer, street department foreman, informed borough council Monday of the problem stating that he and several workers also caught a glimpse of the unwanted reptiles that seem to be invading a grassy section of field owned by the Westmoreland Water Co.
According to Schroyer, property hasn’t been maintained for some time and it now has trees and weeds growing throughout it.
Schroyer said he didn’t recall any previous problems in the borough with rattlesnakes.
“I think the drought is bringing them in,” he added.
Guy Napolillo, councilman, agreed to contact the water company as well as the Pennsylvania Game Commission to further address the problem.
In a separate matter, council agreed to begin stockpiling materials for unfinished paving projects before the onset of fall weather. The projects include grading along Upper Dushane Avenue and Casparis Road .
In other matters, council agreed to have the street department install a section of pipe in a residential driveway and open up a ditch on Walnut Street at a cost not to exceed $300. Council also agreed to purchase an aluminum tailgate for its 1-ton dump truck at a cost not to exceed $500. Schroyer said the current steel tailgate was too heavy and weighed about 500 pounds.
Turning to other business, solicitor Richard Bower indicated that the solicitor for Connellsville Township has not contacted him in regards to a police protection agreement with the township issued through the United States Department of Justice in the form of a Community Oriented Policing Services grant.
“There is no record in any manner in my office that that attorney contacted me,” said Bower.
According to Bower, the matter lies with the township and the Justice Department. Bower added that the township initially had an account number for the agreement prior to informing the borough.
Fred Bates, councilman, said he recently met with Tammy Mader, township supervisor, to discuss the proposed costs associated with the joint agreement.
Bower said an amendment to the existing agreement is needed to activate the grant with final approval from the Justice Department.