Jan 9, 2007 By Joyce Koballa 3 min read

SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE – The borough needs to come up with $71,075 to help offset the costs associated with a sidewalk replacement project being funded in part with a $721,263 grant issued through the state. Mayor Pete Casini said the project includes the replacement of concrete curbs and sidewalks on both sides of South Pittsburgh Street from Woodlawn Avenue to Allegheny Avenue with the addition of handicap accessible ramps.

According to Casini, the borough received $650,188 in grant money from the state’s Street Scape Program in conjunction with Gov. Ed Rendell’s office.

Casini said the borough plans to apply for separate grants that would go toward their required share with any remaining money to be taken out of the general fund.

Widmer Engineering Inc. is currently working on the design process at a cost of $57,675 while other fees include $9,000 for an environmental clearance and $4,200 each for a right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation, even if both aren’t needed.

Anyone with questions about the project is asked to contact the borough office at (724) 628-4860.

In a separate matter, a motion made by councilwoman Lonnie Casini regarding a March 30 deadline for potential repairs to hazards cited at a vacant South Pittsburgh Street residence died from a lack of a second.

Mark Ward, council president, and Bob Ward, councilman, abstained from discussion on the matter since relatives Jeff and Ann Ward own the property.

Council learned of the matter in October following a neighbor’s complaint that rodents were allegedly entering the property that was also plagued with debris while the back porch was filled in with concrete slabs randomly placed inside a block foundation.

While Casini said the borough sent a letter to the Wards in November to bring their property into compliance with its ordinance she wasn’t convinced by what looked like two new concrete slabs poured on the back porch surrounded with orange tape while the litter was still not addressed.

Councilmen Don Clark said he couldn’t support Casini’s motion since he never saw the property while fellow members Clyde Martz and Jim Swink agreed.

Turning to other business, council:

– Agreed to grant a 35-cent per hour raise to the police department, secretary and street department workers all retroactive to January 1 along with increasing life insurance policies from $12,500 to $15,000 for two full-time street department workers under the union contract as well as two full-time police officers.

– Tabled a contract with the state to purchase salt until learning the minimum tonnage and storage cost.

– Learned from Pete Casini that someone damaged the electric landscape lights at the honor roll while a resident agreed to contribute a $1,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the recent incident.