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WOAA Work Complete, Other Plans Move Forward

By Sarah Turnbull
The Tube City Almanac
February 11, 2021
Posted in: White Oak News

Improvements at White Oak Athletic Association are complete, pending the receipt of certain documents.

At Monday’s council work session, borough engineer Ken Hillman said White Oak’s next big project is tackling repairs to the municipal building on Lincoln Way.

“We’ve completed specification plans for the roof, electrical and HVAC systems at the borough building. Our street paving project has been sent out to bid, and those bids are due Feb. 23,” Hillman said.

The new pool pump at Heritage Hill Park has been paid for, at a cost of $5,140, and the borough has gone out for bids on demolition of abandoned houses.

Borough Manager John Palyo said the demolitions will cost at least $15,000.

In other business, Solicitor Patricia McGrail said White Oak Lions Club has proposed the construction of a new pavilion at Heritage Hill Park.

“The pavilion would be donated by the Lions Club, and it would be borough property. We would also have an annual date where we reserved the pavilion just for them,” McGrail said.

Councilwoman Julie Opferman, who chairs the Parks and Recreation Committee, raised the possibility of soliciting proposals for concession operations at Heritage Hill Pool — or bringing in an outside business.

“Veltre’s reached out to one of my coworkers,” Opferman said. “But we still need to start soliciting. The pool manager wants to scrap daily passes — what if we had a seven-day pass that could be used whenever? We can brainstorm in committee.”

Opferman also proposed using the WOAA as a COVID-19 vaccination site for the White Oak police and other officials.

The council also discussed advertising the sale of a vacant lot on Heckman Road, updating the borough’s list of fees, delinquent garbage accounts, animal control proposals, forming a pension board, and the adoption of a new agreement regarding firearms training for the police.

Council confirmed they will vote on whether to adopt a proposed political sign ordinance at their next meeting.

Palyo said the borough is getting estimates for a new chipper, box system and leaf vacuum to replace the 20-year-old equipment currently in use.

The next council meeting will be held 6:45 p.m. Feb. 15 at the White Oak Athletic Association. Members of the public are welcome, and social distancing rules are in place.

Sarah Turnbull is a freelance writer in Irwin. She can be reached at sarahturnbull323@gmail.com.

Originally published February 11, 2021.

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