Sewickley officials set 2024 paving project, approve police personnel moves

Sewickley officials plan to spend about $650,000 to pave five streets and an intersection later this year.

Council authorized Gateway Engineers to put its 2024 paving program out for bid.

The vote was 8-0 at the March 12 meeting. Councilman Tom Rostek was absent.

Engineer Mike Galet said the hope is to award a contract in April and have construction begin in June.

The project is expected to take about five months to complete.

Roads to be repaired this year include:

• Hill Street from Broad to Mulberry streets.

• Academy Avenue from Linden Street to the dead end.

• Graham Street from Harbaugh Street to state Route 65.

• Maple Lane from Maple Lane to Dippold Street.

• Melville Lane from Chestnut to Bank streets.

• The intersection of Murray Street and Centennial Avenue.

Streets were evaluated over the winter.

“We put out a road program every year, and this is basically in line with what (the borough) has done annually as far as expenditures,” he said. “We grade the roads and prioritize based off their current conditions. We do the worst roads first. These are all in need of repair, nonemergency stuff.”

Council president Cynthia Mullins said it is important to keep a watchful eye on infrastructure and to upgrade when possible to avoid having to do emergency repairs.

“We want to maintain a robust road improvement program,” she said. “We also want to also improve pedestrian safety. We’re fortunate that our budget is in good shape (to do this work).”

Council awarded last year’s paving project to Youngblood Paving.

The borough budgeted $600,000 for paving last year and the contract was for about $462,000.

Galet said Youngblood was able to stay within the contract and crews did good work.

No brick road repairs were considered for at least the second straight year.

In police business

Council accepted the resignation of a full-time police officer and approved an offer of employment to a potential replacement.

Officer Doug Miller of Baden will leave the department this month after serving Sewickley for the past five years.

Police Chief Dave Mazza said Miller took another job at a police department in Beaver County.

“Doug was a loyal (and) dedicated employee the past five years,” Mazza said. “The department will miss him. He was an asset. I wish him luck.”

Council approved offering a job to Richard Stuart of Cranberry. Salary to be determined.

Mazza said Stuart served Sewickley as a part-time officer years ago and currently works full-time as an Avalon officer.

“He is a skilled investigator,” Mazza said. “He is very tech savvy and he has a great police mind to be able to complete the tasks that need done, and beyond. He’s a well-grounded family man who is an extremely reliable employee.”

Stuart is expected to be formally sworn in next month, pending passing physical and psychological screenings.