Brownsville Council to upgrade traffic signals
BROWNSVILLE – Brownsville council Tuesday took action to go greener when it comes to traffic lights and less green when it comes to poison ivy. Council voted to spend up to $500 to replace the traffic signals at the foot of High Street with LED lights, replacing the standard bulbs that use more electricity. The borough is considering the possibility of changing more of the bulbs in the future, but decided to start with the High Street signal because of problems with the regular bulbs burning out frequently. The green and red lights are currently out on one of the two lights at the foot of High Street, according to council president Jack Lawver.
Council also voted to spend up to $500 to have a contractor spray poison ivy along the fence at the former Sisti property, which is currently owned by Ernest Liggett of Monroeville. Liggett was fined last week for allowing high weeds at the property. Lawver said the borough would attempt to recoup the money spent on the poison ivy eradication through code enforcement.
“We’ve incorporated it into fines in the past,” Jack Lawver said.
Jim Carol, representing the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation, asked about setting up a timeline for building repairs at the former H&R Block Building at Market and Bridge streets. Carol said BARC is in the process of selling the building and the new owner wanted to sit down with borough officials to establish the timeline for repairs, since the building has been cited for roof problems. Jim Lawver, who heads the Community and Economic Development committee, said he would set up a meeting.
Councilman Charlie Perkins asked if it was possible for council’s monthly stipend to be set aside for a community project, such as a recreation center or scholarships, instead of going to the council members. Perkins said the total comes to about $1,000 a month.
Solicitor Melinda Dellarose said she doesn’t believe the borough can make donations, since it is tax money, but she would look into the options requested by council. Jack Lawver said the stipend rate is set by ordinance and it could require a repeal of that ordinance if it is the desire of council to make the change.
Mayor Lew Hosler noted that more part-time officers would be needed over the summer. Council voted to send a letter to the Civil Service Commission asking that testing be conducted.
It was noted that Camino Drive, the new entrance to Newtown patch, will be dedicated Tuesday, June 16 at 11 a.m. The road is named in honor of a borough resident killed in Vietnam.