Harrison approves demolition contract, awaits officers' vote on police pact

The Harrison commissioners have approved a contract for building demolitions, as well as a new agreement with the union representing the township’s police officers.

A house at 998 Ivanhoe St. heavily damaged by fire in December 2016 is among the three included in the demolition contract.

“It will be good to see it’s gone,” said Debbie Pitkavich, who lives across the street from it. “It will clean up the neighborhood.”

The other buildings to be torn down are a duplex at 14-16 Philadelphia Ave. and a house at 92 Spruce St.

The commissioners awarded the contract to Minniefield Demolition Services of West Mifflin. The company submitted the lowest of four bids, $30,150, Commissioner Bill Heasley said.

After paperwork is in order and the company has been given the go-ahead, demolition of the houses could start by the end of February and be finished in four or five days, Minnifield manager Olivia Minniefield said.

The work is being paid for with federal grant money through the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments, which had sought the bids. Harrison had $78,000 available, council Executive Director Tom Benecki said.

Benecki was uncertain what would happen with the leftover money.

Harrison Township Manager Rich Hill said the grant covers only the demolition, itself; the township still pays other costs, such as engineering and legal fees.

A house at 25 Sycamore St. had also been in the township’s sights. Hill said the township may not have to take that building down, as it appears the owner has been issued a demolition permit.

The township also wants to tear down buildings at 42 and 44 Federal St. However, the grant money can’t be used to demolish them because they are in the Penn Salt historic district.

Police contract awaits union vote

While approved by commissioners, Harrison’s police officers have yet to vote on their new contract.

Heasley said the contract provides 2.5% pay increases each year. It also includes provisions for the retirement of two senior officers.

The contract does not go into effect until accepted by the union, Hill said.

The last agreement between the township and Teamsters Local 249 covering the department’s 12 full-time officers expired at the end of 2020. The two-year agreement would be retroactive to Jan. 1.

Keith Frank, Local 249 vice president, said they were finalizing the tentative agreement and did not know when the officers would vote.

Frank said the union would not seek to make changes to the contract as it was approved by the commissioners.

“At this point we have a tentative agreement. We’ll vote on that agreement,” he said. “We’re looking forward to presenting it to the members. We’re looking forward to providing excellent service as we have in the past to the residents.”

“We’ve been very satisfied with the work the officers have done,” Heasley said. “The community seems to have favorable comments for them as well.”