After two years of short-handed operation, the Penn Hills Code-Enforcement Department swore in three new officers.
Code-enforcement officers Jason I. Griffiths, Cory P. Kircher and Christine Sepesy took the oath of office March 16.
“Remember, you guys and ladies are the first line of defense against blight,” Mayor Anthony DeLuca said. “Our code-enforcement department is now fully up to staff.”
The department now has four code-enforcement officers. The department director and fire marshal also can perform code-inspection duties.
In December, frustrated residents living near dilapidated structures asked members of Penn Hills Council for additional officers but were told that funding for new hires were tied up in a pending lawsuit.
Two code-enforcement officers who were fired in 2012 for violating the municipality's residency requirement sued the municipality in January of 2013, claiming the municipality violated their civil rights.
That suit was settled in January. Penn Hills officials have not yet responded to a Right to Know request to review the terms of the settlement.
A third code officer retired at the end of 2014.
Municipal Manager Mohammed Rayan said the department was struggling to find qualified candidates because Penn Hills requires its code enforcement officers to be certified and live in Penn Hills.
The code-enforcement department handles about 1,000 complaints each year and inspects commercial and residential buildings.
“Morale is up in the department,” said Chris Blackwell, acting planning director. “It's great to see everyone busy and productive.”
Code enforcement officers are paid $54,314 a year, plus benefits.
Kelsey Shea is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-320-7845 or kshea@tribweb.com.
