Union City looks at streets to be paved

By Mary Ann Mook

Following discussion at their March 24 meeting, Union City Borough Council compiled a list of streets for possible milling and paving this summer.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells stressed that streets on the list are not definite for milling and paving; it all depends on cost.

Streets for the base bid, which will be done if council accepts a bid, are Fourth Avenue from South Street to High Street, Second Avenue from Main Street to South Street, and Miles Street from Johnson Street to Kilburn Street.

Additional streets could be included as options, but council would need pricing before approving them. Option 1 is North Fifth Avenue. Option 2 is a patch of Washington Street. Option 3 is Odell Street from Main Street to Cherry Street. Option 4 is North Third Avenue.

In other business, council accepted an insurance claim from Donald Burge’s insurance in the amount of $5,000 and opted not to file a civil suit for additional funds.

Prior to the vote, Wells said that on Nov. 24, Burge struck a streetlight pole at North Main and Market streets. After police investigated the damage, an officer contacted the borough and provided Burge’s insurance and other information. Police charged Burge with accidents involving damage to unattended vehicle or property, and he pleaded guilty.

Wells said the borough could not submit the total cost of damages until all invoices were received, noting the streetlight pole invoice can take nearly 12 months. The damages totaled $6,302.18 and were submitted to USAA Insurance.

Last week, the borough was notified that Burge’s insurance coverage was limited to $5,000. After consulting with the borough solicitor, Wells said council could either accept the $5,000 and cover the remaining cost or file a civil suit to recover the balance. Council chose not to incur legal expenses and accepted the $5,000 payment.

Council also approved a motion to add family coverage to the Employee Policy Manual, covering 50 percent of additional costs for health, dental and vision insurance. The Police Collective Bargaining Agreement already allows for family coverage with the borough paying 50 percent of additional costs. While not previously stated in the Employee Policy Manual, nonuniform employees have received similar coverage in the past.

Council approved a proposed ordinance for police pensions. Following an audit by the Auditor General’s Office, it was determined the police pension ordinance needed to be updated. The ordinance was advertised March 13.

During reports, Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips said the 2016 International truck needs $1,875 in repairs, which is less expensive than replacing a part manufactured in Canada for a minimum of $3,000 plus shipping.

“It’s out of commission,” Phillips said.

Mayor Herb Reide said he has been encouraging youth groups and other organizations to hold car washes as fundraisers because Union City no longer has a car wash.

In her report, Wells said council approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with the EADS Group engineering firm to apply for a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for potential restroom and playground improvements at the Little League fields and other park projects. She said she is now focusing on improvements to the Tot Lot on First Avenue.

“We’re applying for a grant to update Tot Lot,” Wells said.

Wells said the change in focus is due to the ball fields being located in a floodplain, where requirements are extensive and costly, and current funding is insufficient for that project.

Wells also reported the borough received a letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation stating traffic counts will be conducted this year on portions of Elm Street, Graves Street and Monroe Street.