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White Oak Grants Demolition Reprieves to Two Houses
By Cami DiBattista
The Tube City Almanac
February 25, 2019
Posted in: White Oak News
Two homes slated for demolition by White Oak Borough have been granted temporary reprieves as their owners make improvements.
At a public hearing before February's council meeting, owners of properties at 1828 California Ave. and 608 Osborne St. were granted additional extensions to obtain their occupancy permits.
The extensions came at the recommendation of at the recommendation of borough Code Enforcement Officer Brian Dinkfelt, who said that each of those properties have been considerably improved since being recommended for demolition in August.
Six properties were identified as blighted and unsafe by during in August.
The property owner of 738 O’Neil Blvd. and his representative were in attendance to ask for additional time as they try to get a water line repaired. Council President Dave Pasternak said the borough would allow an extension if the property owner paid in full all borough and school taxes within the next month.
Properties at 2420 O’Neil Blvd. and 606 New Jersey St. remain slated for demolition, while 700 New Jersey St. was removed from the list as the owner has already demolished the structure, Dinkfelt reported.
Solicitor Krisha DiMascio said the borough will have a lien placed on each property that is slated for demolition to recover its costs.
In other business:
Council unanimously passed a motion to increase the solicitor’s salary to $100 per hour beginning on March 1.
Council accepted a proposal from Dave Kisan in the amount of $1,890 for the replacement of seven new cameras for the Heritage Hill Pool and concession area. The cost will include parts and labor.
The engineer’s report, given by borough engineer Ken Hillman, included a pay request in the amount of $29,966.40 to Tennis Roofing, Inc. for the bathhouse/pool replacement project.
Hillman told council he would soon have a packet for their review regarding the Kansas Street drainage project.
Council approved a motion to authorize payment to the law firm of Dodara, Matta and Cambest for the filing of municipal liens for delinquent garbage fees for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. The payments totaled $21,289.92.
Council also approved filing a $75,000 grant request under the Allegheny County CITF program for phase two of upgrades to the restrooms at White Oak Athletic Association.
Police Report: Mayor Ina Jean Marton gave the police report for January, which included a total of 14 arrests, including 12 adults, and two juveniles. Arrests included six drug offences, four harassment changes, one public drunkenness, two thefts and one for theft by deception (fraudulent business practices). Fifty-seven traffic violations were also reported.
Cami DiBattista is a freelance writer who covers municipal news from Duquesne, White Oak and other subjects for Tube City Almanac. She may be reached at cad316@gmail.com.
Originally published February 25, 2019.
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