Penn Hills resident Staci Rullo was honored for her consistent service to the community and her support for multiple charities at the Sept. 19 Penn Hills council meeting.

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to make this proclamation,” said Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese. “Staci has represented Penn Hills and has helped countless new residents choose to make their home in Penn Hills. Stacy has supported charities such as the Animal Rescue League, ASPCA and by serving as a business woman role model for young women in our community.”

Calabrese went on to declare Sept. 10, 2022, as Staci Rullo Day in the municipality.

Rullo has resided in Penn Hills since 1982. She worked as a licensed broker with a number of firms before forming the Staci Rullo Group in 2012. She has sold more than 5,000 homes in Penn Hills and was recognized as Realtor of the Year by the Realtor Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh in 2010.

Also at the meeting, before council voted to exercise the final option year with Republic Services for trash and recycling, multiple residents took the podium to make public comments. One resident asked that council members consider asking Republic Services to make donations to a Penn Hills non-profit organization before agreeing to renew the final year of service. This request was inspired by the claim of charitable giving on the waste collection company’s website.

Another resident alleged that the company has been picking up trash and recycling in the same truck. After calling Republic to resolve the issue, the company claimed not to have the manpower to use separate trucks. A third resident requested that larger trash bins be placed around the municipality to prevent animals getting into trash bags left on the street.

The final resident to speak on the matter asked why council had stated that the contract would be in the best interests of the community, and asked if municipal officials had considered looking into other three-year contract options. Municipal manager Scott Andrejchak assured the residents that the contract is optimal due to the length of service offered and the stability of its cost going into 2023.

Other business

• During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Barbara Goodson highlighted the needed maintenance on Aber Road, Grove Road and the storm drains in that area. She requested that Penn Hills contact PennDOT for the needed services. Goodson reported to the council that there is vegetation growing in the drains and it is slowing the water drainage.

She also requested that a previously demolished lot be cleared and considered for a future park site. Goodson said that others in her neighborhood share in that desire and would be willing to start a petition. She said that the closest park is too far for children in the neighborhood to reach on foot and the lot would be safer to get to, and closer to their homes.

• Council unanimously approved the 2023 Minimum Obligations payment. This will contribute to police pension plans and non-uniformed employee pension plans. Council also approved the adoption of the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program for 2023-2027. The program details a capital budget of just over $6.6 million for road reconstruction.

According to municipal documents, for 2021, 2022 and 2023 the capital program received an injection of stimulus funding from the federal American Rescue Plan. A significant amount of the money will be expended on park improvements, continued improvements for the sanitary sewer system, stormwater improvements, waterlines and other utilities.

• The municipality will sign a three-year agreement with PennDOT for street sweeping services. Councilwoman Catherine Sapp suggested that she and her colleagues discuss methods of advertising which streets will be treated and when. PennDOT will also be working with the municipality to relocate utilities for maintenance in an area with 13 manholes.

• Penn Hills has awarded a two-year contract with a third-year option to CWM Environmental Inc. for municipal Water Pollution Control Department pump station maintenance. CWM will receive just more than $450,000 over three years to maintain the 12 stations.

• Council members voted to accept a Quit Claim Deed from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County for a parcel of land located on Rodi Road. Councilwoman Joanne Fascio thanked the staff for the work that went into getting the project underway.

“This is the first step of what I think is going to be a significant improvement,” said Fascio. “We have some interesting plans and I’m very excited to see this concrete step toward realizing those plans.”

• Sapp spoke on the importance and excitement of resident participation at meetings.

“I appreciate all of the residents, I love to see you in the audience,” said Sapp. “I always say, ‘It’s your money, you live here. Come out and voice the way you feel about the way your money is being spent.’ We are only five out of 42,000. I commend you for being here and coming up to the podium to voice your opinions and concerns.”

Calabrese echoed the sentiment.

“All of us, all members of council, we live here, too, and we really care about Penn Hills and we know that you do too,” said Calabrese.

For more information regarding the council meeting and upcoming events, visit pennhillspa.gov.

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