Apr 24, 2011 By Patty Yauger 4 min read

?CONNELLSVILLE — The purchase of a new computer and telephone system for the city administration office was put on hold by council until the bids are reviewed, according to recent action.

Two bids ranging from $17,373 to $19,523 were received to replace the current computer systems and eight cost proposals were submitted for the antiquated telephone system. Bids for the telephone system ranged from $12,188 to $22,980.

Last month, Councilman Greg Ritch, director of public parks and buildings, indicated that the cost would be defrayed through a grant being pursued by the city.

Ritch said that contracts would likely be awarded at the May council meeting.

In other matters, council directed the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority to revise its 2008 state Community Development Block Grant program to include expenditures tied to the demolition of the 126-130 S. Pittsburgh St. building.

On March 28, Mayor Charles Matthews declared a state of emergency when the four-story building began to fall, trapping its owner under a pile of rubble.

Bryan Upton was tearing down the building after an earlier windstorm had knocked down a sizeable piece of a southern wall into an adjacent alleyway. He sustained minor injuries in the fall.

The emergency status permitted the city to hire a contractor to immediately raze the building and authorize a payment for the work, said Matthews, adding that subsequent council approval was needed to ratify the earlier action.

In addition to officially hiring Ritenour and Sons Demolition Co. Inc. of South Connellsville, council also agreed to issue an immediate payment of $50,000 for the completed work and authorized an additional payment of $7,500 when the remaining work is finished.

The figure includes a $1,500 amount for costs tied to air-quality tests.

Matthews said that Ritenour was required to have air and asbestos samples analyzed and the $1,500 amount was added to the original contracted amount.

“It seems the (test results) were alright, so the $1,500 should cover the costs,” said Matthews.

In other business, council learned that Preservation Pennsylvania will work with officials, the Trail Town Outreach Corps and other volunteers and organizations to undertake preservation projects in Connellsville and other communities along the Great Allegheny Passage.

Erin Hammerstedt, spokeswoman for the nonprofit organization, said that numerous projects were outlined during community meetings held last year to solicit ideas to aid in the preservation of historic buildings and help entice tourists to the city.

“We hope to get some real results on the ground,” she said.

Proposed projects include feasibility studies for several vacated buildings or properties, marketing strategies, expansion of the Fayette County Cultural Trust historic marker program and assisting the Connellsville Historical Society and Friends of the Carnegie Library in their efforts to expand and improve their initiatives.

While agreeing the premise is worthy, Matthews said that all too often the city cooperates in the planning processes, but fails to garner the funds to implement projects.

The city, he added, can not afford the price tag associated with the revitalization projects.

“We have buildings falling down,” he said. “People aren’t out there investing in the properties.”

Hammerstedt said that a part of the project is to secure implementation funding and private investment.

“We have to start somewhere,” she said.

In other matters, council also conducted the following business:

n Proclaimed May 14 as National Letter Carrier Food Drive Day.

n Directed solicitor Herbert Mitchell to investigate the possible purchase of property located adjacent to the city’s maintenance garage located at 125 W. South St.

n Adopted revisions to the city sign ordinance and introduced an amendment to the ordinance to reduce the fee for erecting a sign from the current $100 amount to $25.

n Agreed to refund Pamela Snyder $75 for the use of an East Park pavilion.

n Hired Russell Taylor and Bill Little as seasonal employees from May 15 to Aug. 15 at an hourly salary of $7.25.

n Added Brian Sherwood and Shawn Sherwood to the public works on-call list.

n Announced that River City Promotions will hold a July 2 sprint triathlon and mega-Baggo competition at Yough Park. The event will also feature musical entertainment, an “anything the floats” competition and other events.