Oakmont council president resigns

Oakmont council President Lindsay Osterhout cited an increased work load and family responsibilities as reasons she resigned from council.

Osterhout was in the final year of her first four-year term on council.

Council accepted her resignation Monday.

“She was a great addition to council,” said vice president Nancy Ride. “We made a great deal of progress completing projects. She kept council organized and focused. She brought her good nature and humor to every meeting.”

Osterhout, a partner at Osterhout Berger Disability Law, was elected to council in November 2019 when Democrats swept Republican challengers for four seats.

She was appointed council president in January 2022.

In her resignation letter, Osterhout said her work load and family responsibilities have increased and she would not be able to dedicate time to borough meetings and serving. Her letter was submitted March 16.

“This has been a great experience and I have learned so much,” her letter read. “I hope my children have seen the importance of serving the community, as well as seeing that it is just as important to recognize when to step back.”

She highlighted various projects including permanent glass recycling, a grant for pedestrian safety at Hulton Road and Ninth Avenue, human resources organization and updates and green initiatives among borough accomplishments during her time on council.

“Keep up the good work,” Osterhout wrote. “You are all rockstars in my book.”

The vacancy will be posted on the borough website, oakmontborough.com.

Letters of interest and resumes will be accepted through May 1.

Council has scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m. May 8 at the borough building to interview candidates and possibly vote on Osterhout’s successor.

That person would be sworn in at the May 15 regular voting meeting.

If no one is selected on May 8, an appointment would be made at the aforementioned voting session.

Whomever is appointed would serve through the remainder of this year.

Seats up for election this year include Osterhout, Ride and David Brankley, who has decided not to run for reelection.

The May 16 primar election has three Republicans and three Democrats seeking party nods for the three four-year seats.

Republicans include Al Hatok, David Graver and Mark Springer.

Democrats include Ride, Deborah Ormay and Jennifer Paris.

In other news

Council approved an agreement with Pittsburgh architectural firm Environmental Planning and Design to develop a master plan for preservation and rejuvenation efforts at Dark Hollow Woods.

The cost is not to exceed $45,000, according to the motion that passed unanimously.

Borough manager Scot Fodi said the work was for a professional service and did not have to go out for public bid.

EPD has worked on various Oakmont projects over the years including its comprehensive plan and related updates, as well as designs for a kayak park along the 1000 block of Allegheny Avenue, near the Brenntag Northeast facility.

Fodi announced the borough is considering its options for investing about $600,000 in short-term CDs - certificate of deposit.

He said they were looking at three- to six-month CDs at three local banks and exploring various interest rates.

No vote was taken on this issue at the meeting.