Tarentum expected to hire contractor for building demolitions

Tarentum isn’t giving up on the idea of getting into the building demolition business — but it won’t be this year, according to Borough Manager Michael Nestico.

Council President Erika Josefoski in March suggested the borough use part of the money budgeted for demolitions this year to buy equipment, such as an excavator, to tear down abandoned and dilapidated buildings with its own employees instead of hiring a contractor.

Borough crews would handle simple demolitions with clear and easy access, but Tarentum still would have hired a contractor for more complex or technical jobs.

While borough officials like the idea, Nestico said it needs more analysis. He and Anthony Bruni, the borough’s code enforcement officer, decided it would be best to go forward with hiring a contractor for the demolition projects the borough has planned for this year.

The borough has $150,000 budgeted for demolitions this year, which is earmarked to tear down about a dozen buildings. Some of that money could have been used to buy equipment, which would have meant fewer demolitions this year.

But, even if the borough bought equipment this year, Nestico said it would not likely be able to use it until next year, considering the time to get it delivered and train employees to use it.

But “it can work,” he said.

Nestico said Bruni is preparing a preliminary list of buildings for demolition. It is expected to be presented to council in May.