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Extra Funding Will Benefit NV Twp. Fire Companies

By Kristen Keleschenyi
The Tube City Almanac
May 01, 2021
Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News

Police and firefighters in North Versailles Twp. will receive unexpected funds, commissioners announced this month.

At the April commissioners meeting, President Frank Bivins said approximately $20,000 extra will be dispensed to Crestas and West Wilmerding volunteer fire companies and Fire Department of North Versailles from the township fire tax fund.

“This is an extra $20,000 that we are giving to the volunteer fire departments because there was extra money in that account from over the years,” Bivins said.

The money will be in addition to April’s regular monthly payments from the 2020 Fire Tax Fund of $1,935.52 for Crestas and $6,638.60 for West Wilmerding, he said.

Commissioner Russell Saula reported the township police department received a $1,000 donation from longtime township resident Michael Kostic to help cover the cost of a ballistic vest for one of the officers.

“This came out of his stimulus money that he got,” Saula said. “I just want to acknowledge that person and let everybody know what a generous gentleman this person is and how grateful we are for his donation.”

The commissioners also authorized the services of the Avanti Consulting Group to help the township seek grant money, at a cost of $4,500 per month, plus expenses not to exceed $250.

Commissioner Allen Wagner made the motion to hire Avanti “because of the number of things that are happening and the amount of monies that are available out there” in grants.

Commissioners authorized a payment of $24,075.56 to Duquesne Light to complete lighting at Crestas Field, and hiring Tyler Schwer as the parks and recreation maintenance person at a rate of $18 per hour, plus benefits.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a resident expressed his frustration with the inability to make cash payments for his sewage bill during the pandemic due to the township office being closed as a safety precaution.

Commissioners said they could not enforce procedures as the sewage department has its own board of directors. A member of the sewer authority board was in attendance and passed along information about that board’s upcoming meeting.


Kristen Keleschenyi is a freelance writer in North Versailles Twp. and one of the hosts of the Kristen & Amber Show on WMCK Internet Radio at 5 p.m. Saturdays, 9 p.m. Mondays and 4 p.m. Thursdays. She may be reached at kbishop25@hotmail.com.

Originally published May 01, 2021.

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