DERRY--Derry Borough Council came a step closer Monday to abolishing a program that allowed property owners to apply for on-street handicapped parking spots in residential neighborhoods.
Suggesting that the program has been abused, council voted to advertise an ordinance that would repeal it.
"This isn't a knee-jerk reaction," Council President Todd Krehlik said. "We've evaluated this over and over ... We tried to offer something nice, and it got abused."
He said some who applied for a handicapped spot weren't truly in need, as they had off-street parking available to them. Some cases began to draw council into the middle of neighborhood feuds over parking.
"People were threatening us when we denied them," Krehlik said.
Residents Donald McGraw and JoAnn Blasko objected to council's plan to end the handicapped parking program.
McGraw, who noted he has a physically disabled granddaughter, said, "I feel that is taking the right away from handicapped individuals. Wouldn't it be better to amend it to curb the abuses?"
Blasko questioned how council could deny handicapped parking to an applicant who proves he has a need.
Derry Solicitor Matt Kovacik said the borough is required to provide handicapped parking spaces when needed for commercial establishments. But he said the Americans With Disabilities Act does not require such amenities for residential areas.
"We're not going to get sued by having the ordinance repealed," he advised council.
He noted council could in the future consider reinstating a residential parking program that would be more restrictive in nature--for instance, disqualifying all those who already have off-street parking.
"There are a lot of criteria we can look at in the future that would make the requirements a lot more stringent," he said.
Derry bolstered its police force, hiring two part-time officers. Eric Bosco of Latrobe also serves as an officer in Mt. Pleasant; Joseph Levay of Greensburg currently serves on the Ligonier Borough police force.
The hirings bring the Derry force's strength to two full-time officers and five part-timers.
Councilman Ron Bolen, a former member of the department and past borough mayor, voted against the hirings. He said he would prefer staffing the police department with a third full-time officer.
Recently elected Derry Mayor Richard McGinnis addressed recent doubt about his commitment to the post.
McGinnis confirmed reports that he submitted a letter of resignation on Jan. 18, but he said he rescinded the resignation six days later.
He said the letter was "a knee-jerk reaction to things I didn't understand ... I'll still be the mayor of Derry."
Council approved a new communications system plan, through Verizon, which will provide five cell phones for use by borough police and crew members.
Krehlik said the plan will cost an additional $411 annually on top of the roughly $1,100 the borough spends for its current communications system.
Borough Secretary Lori Latta noted the new Verizon plan will provide "a more unified form of communication for the borough."
Currently, some employees have cell phones and others have pagers. Latta noted police officers have not been using their cell phones recently because they haven't been functioning properly.
Council also agreed to purchase new computer hardware and software and scanning equipment for the borough office. Supplied by Freedom Systems, the computer package is estimated to cost about $19,000.
The borough will make an initial payment covering half of the total cost.
Council approved a list of 10 new manholes which are to be installed in scattered areas of the borough in the coming year. Also, Derry intends to replace a "lamphole" access where one line comes to a dead end.
Council member Debbie Matteo said, with the new manholes in place, the borough will have unhindered access to all of its sewer lines except in the Fourth Ward, where improvements still are needed.
Matteo said the borough's consultant, Gibson-Thomas Engineering, will provide a cost estimate for the manhole project.
Council approved the sale of a partial lot at 317 W. Fourth Ave., part of the holdings of George Mowry and Co., to a new owner from New Jersey.
Council member Lois Lazarchik said the lot, which had been tied up in a tax repository, now can be restored to the local tax rolls. Also, the new owner will be responsible for trimming grass on the lot.
