Brownsville council discusses apartment building fire
BROWNSVILLE — Borough council members on Thursday discussed ways to address reported health and safety problems at the Brownsville Apartments.
A fire in the privately owned, Section 8 senior citizens apartment building on Feb. 3 displaced all of the 50-60 tenants. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the tenants were not allowed to return that night due to smoke and water damage.
Councilman Robert Kovach said a new fire alarm was installed in the building, but he suggested closing the building and contacting the Fayette County Housing Authority about finding new places for the tenants to live.
Kovach said he heard that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) inspected the building, but he hasn’t been able to confirm that.
He said he has tried to contact HUD and the building owner, but has not been successful.
Councilman James Lawver said the elevator and standpipe system don’t work.
Mayor Lester Ward said health and safety problems in the building have been documented.
Kovach said he is worried that the borough could be sued.
Solicitor Melinda Dellarose said the borough has cited the owner and contacted HUD and police and fire fighters respond there when called.
“What else can we do? This is privately owned.” Dellarose said, adding that the tenants are aware of the problems with the building.
Lawver said the borough code enforcement officer could order the building closed.
Council President Jack Lawver suggested meeting with Myron Nypaver, the Menallen Township code and zoning officer, about the building.
In unrelated business, council approved a two-year contract with Gaydos-Behanna Kennel of Clairton for animal control services and to enforce the borough’s animal ordinances for $155 a month.
Kovach said Gaydos-Behanna handles cats, dogs, deer and dead animals.
Council members said the borough hasn’t had an animal control service for five months.
The action came after Dorothy Turusik of Second Street tearfully complained about the lack of enforcement of the borough’s vicious dog ordinance after a neighbor’s pit bull dog attacked and killed her 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Snickers on May 8.
“That was my pet. Nothing’s going to bring him back,” Turusik said.
She said another neighbor hit the pit bull with a piece of lumber, but it wouldn’t let go of her dog.
Jim Lawver said the ordinance requires vicious dogs to kept in fenced enclosures and placed in muzzles when walked.
Jack Lawver said Dellarose will review the ordinance and said police might need training to deal with vicious dogs.
“Citations will be issued,” Ward said.
In other business, council adopted a resolution declaring May 19 as “Students in Action Day” in advance of a 1 p.m. ribbon cutting that day for the Snowden Square stage, which students from Brownsville Area High School designed.