May 16, 2014 By Erin Hayes for The 3 min read

PERRYOPOLIS — After a councilman reported having found signs of vandalism, borough officials will be looking into installing security systems at Sampey Park and the community ball fields.

“We need a high-tech security system… We needed it yesterday,” said Councilman Bud Petrosky, who reported finding condoms on the playground and in the pavilion. “When I tell you that we need it, we need it in the worst way. It’s nice to build something, but if we don’t have security, we’re going to lose it.”

Other council members said that a security system was installed several years ago, but it was never activated. Later, someone dug up and stole the system. They cited concerns about investing in a new system if it, also, was not going to be used.

Council Vice President Frank Masney Jr. said the systems today are far more advanced and directed the borough police chief to research security grants that might be available.

Also at the meeting, council addressed the concerns of Chris Massey, who vowed last month to return to every meeting until the borough installs a streetlight near his home on Palonder Lane.

Massey, who served on council until Dec. 31, said that council approved the installation of a streetlight 18 months ago. Massey voiced anger at last month’s meeting after an attempted nighttime burglary at his home.

“I don’t feel safe, and I don’t think I should have to deal with it,” said Massey, adding that

police who responded to the incident commented about how pitch black it was outside his residence.

On Wednesday, Councilman Bob Zundel said he had obtained a $11,650 quote from West Penn Power to have a light installed outside of Massey’s residence. Of that amount, $9,850 would be necessary to cover the cost of boring.

“They couldn’t have picked a worse spot to put (a transformer),” said Masney. “It would require boring into driveways, and the quote includes boring,” he said,

adding that it is no easy task to dig through rock, concrete and black top.

Greg Adametz, Massey’s neighbor who also attended the meeting, suggested a more cost-effective way of installing the light by running power from the opposite direction. By doing so, the installation would run an additional 50 feet, but would greatly reduce the cost of boring.

“West Penn Power told us where they wanted it,” Masney said, adding that they may have just considered the shortest path to Massey’s home when preparing the quote.

Masney said he would contact the power company to return to the site and prepare another quote.

Council also agreed to seek quotes after hearing from police Chief Roger Beadling, who said there are water leaks at the station.

Beadling also reported that borough police would be working with two officers from another agency to conduct truck safety inspections along Route 51 in June.

In other matters, council:

n Approved the purchase of a factory refurbished DVR for the police department. The $600 cost includes installation.

n Renewed a heating and cooling maintenance agreement for 2014 with Frank Godla Mechanical, Inc., for the amount of $380.

n Accepted a bid by West Penn Power to refurbish 30 decorative but deteriorating fiberglass poles along Independence and Liberty streets at a cost of $6,250.

The bid includes a contract for pole maintenance.

n Set burning times for on spring clean up days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Saturday through June 15.

n Approved a study to look into the feasibility of erecting four 25-mph speed signs along Strawn Road.