Aspinwall officials are once again considering the value of being part of the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments.
The organization is composed of local communities and can be used to bid contracts for items such as salt. However, Aspinwall officials want to again discuss how the organization can best benefit the borough.
Officials had a similar discussion a year ago and met with Tom Benecki, executive director of the COG, to discuss the options. The borough pays $7,700 in dues each year for membership in the COG.
Council President Joe Noro said the borough needs to revisit that discussion.
“I think we need to have a lot of discussion with him,” Noro said.
Noro said the borough doesn't want to cancel its membership but wants to get more from the organization.
Mayor Joe Giuffre, who attends the COG's meetings, said while a variety of services are offered, Aspinwall is not eligible for many of those services.
When Benecki visited the borough last year, he explained that some programs have income requirements for communities, which leaves Aspinwall out of some opportunities. The borough does use the COG for its salt supply. It also received about $22,000 for handicap-accessible improvements, borough Manager Melissa Lang said.
Gordon said after last year's meeting with Benecki, he thinks the borough can still more effectively use its membership.
Lang said she would discuss the organization's services with Benecki before a decision on membership renewal is made.
Tom McGee is an associate editor for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-856-7400, ext. 1513, or tmcgee@tribweb.com.
