Monroeville councilman, police chief presented with state citation for life-saving actions

At the Monroeville council meeting on Aug. 9, state Rep. Brandon Markosek and Mayor Nick Gresock presented council member Eric Poach and police Chief Doug Cole with a state citation commending their life-saving actions.

After Monroeville resident David Sheats collapsed at council’s Citizens’ Night on July 7, Poach and Cole sprung into action as they began cardiopulmonary resuscitation and contacted emergency services. Sheats was promptly transferred to AHN Forbes Hospital. He has since been discharged and attended the latest meeting in good spirits.

“Councilman Poach and Chief Cole don’t want the recognition, but they’re going to get it, anyway,” said Gresock. “They certainly deserve it.”

Before the meeting began, Sheats and his wife, Darlene Paulisicki, greeted each council member warmly and expressed their gratitude to Poach and Cole.

Throughout the presentation, everyone was in high spirits. When taking pictures, Paulisicki quipped, “I think you should make him show his defibrillator.”

After the recognition, Ernie Groover, Monroeville Foundation president, stepped up for public comment. He expressed his appreciation for the large turnout at CommUNITY Day on July 30 and announced that Monroeville’s Jazz Fest is coming up on Sept. 3, plus the Foundation’s seventh annual golf outing will be on Sept. 12 at Meadowink Golf Course in Murrysville.

As the meeting proceeded, council members introduced and approved a resolution that moves Citizens’ Night from the first Thursday of each month to the first Tuesday. Starting in September, all agenda-setting meetings will take place on first Tuesdays, and council meetings will remain on second Tuesdays.

The disposition of records and certain equipment according to the process outlined in the Municipal Records Manual was also approved, as were multiple resignations. Councilman Bob Stevenson urged interested parties to inquire about vacancies across the municipal boards.

“We need people to come forward and inquire about these positions,” said Stevenson. With almost 20 vacancies on boards, commissions and authorities for 2022, there are a variety of duties available to interested residents.

Municipal manager Tim Little announced that a new boiler was ordered for the library, and he discussed the need for a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the senior center and a new duct system at the dispatch center.

It was announced that a household hazardous waste and electronic collection event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 20 in the Boyce Park Ski Lodge parking lot. Councilman Bob Williams added that there is a bin at the police station where residents can dispose of their old or unwanted prescriptions.