DERRY--Borough Council Monday boosted the town's police force, hiring three new part-timers. But the borough decided to hold off on selecting a new police chief. For now, Randy Glick, currently the sole full-time member of the police department, will continue to serve as officer in charge. Joining two existing part-time officers will be Jonathan Bolkovac II of Greensburg, James Friscarella of New Alexandria and Jenny Lenhart of Latrobe. Originally, council had planned to hire just two new part-time officers. But member Debbie Matteo suggested employing a third, so sufficient officers will be trained and ready for duty when the borough begins providing police coverage for the Derry Area School District this fall. Referring to Lenhart, Matteo added that district officials "are excited about having a female officer to relate to their female students." Among the three new officers, Matteo suggested, the borough should schedule between 252 and 288 hours of coverage per month. Bolkovac, a 2000 graduate of IUP, currently is working as a patrolman for Westmoreland County and Hyde Park Borough. Details were unavailable concerning Lenhart's and Friscarella's experience. President Todd Krehlik said council, twice burned, will consider hiring a new chief "eventually, but not now." Matteo suggested the panel has moved too quickly in making previous personnel decisions. Several council members expressed high hopes for Shannon Wintruba when hiring her as police chief last December. But she remained on duty only until Jan. 28, when she reportedly fell and hurt her back at the borough municipal building. Still under a probationary period, Wintruba was fired as chief last month. Council has not cited an official reason for the action, but members have complained that she failed to show up for work and failed to return phone calls. Borough officials also said Wintruba would not sign a contract for her services and was demanding more money than the borough had agreed to pay her. While serving as officer in charge, Glick will earn the borough's previously contracted chief's salary of $16.58 per hour. Derry Borough also had a protracted dispute with a former police chief, Larry Brodrick, who sat out on disability even though council felt that he was physically able to return to work. Eventually the two sides worked out a settlement. Krehlik noted the borough also has budgeted for a second full-time officer and three part-timers, each working at up to 32 hours per week. At their next regular meeting, moved back to July 19 at 7 p.m., council members will consider hiring American Building Inspection Services to administer and enforce the new state Uniform Construction Code (UCC) in the borough. Matteo explained the borough intends to use the service, provided by Merle Musick of Latrobe RD 1, in a joint arrangement with the two other municipalities in the Derry Area School District: Derry Township and New Alexandria Borough. She noted 25 percent of construction plan review fees Musick collects from property owners would be returned to the appropriate municipality. For residential projects, Musick will charge a base review fee of $100, plus 20 cents per square foot, for new structures. For additions, costs would be $100 if the project is larger than 2,000 square feet, $50 if it is smaller, plus 15 cents per square feet. Review of a remodeling project would cost $30 plus $10 per each $1,000 of the project's estimated cost. Base fees for commercial projects include: new construction and additions, $200 plus 25 cents per square foot; alterations and renovations, $100 plus $20 for each $1,000 of estimated cost. Also in July, council will consider final adoption of an ordinance enacting UCC regulations in the borough. At the same time, it supported a resolution calling for the legislature to amend those construction standards. Council also must appoint a three-member UCC appeals board and is seeking applicants with a general knowledge of building issues. Applicants are not required to reside in the borough. In a related matter, council agreed to give a break to property owners seeking demolition permits from the borough. Derry's zoning officer, Bob Sieminkewicz, noted the borough's previous fee of 10 cents per square foot was "way too high," resulting in a total permit cost of up to $600 for some individuals. Council approved rates more in line with those of neighboring communities: $10 for demolition of an accessory structure; $25 for a residential building; $50 for a commercial structure. Council agreed to sign off on David Mastrorocco's application for county assistance to demolish the former Toner hardware store, clearing the way for plans to expand his supermarket on First Avenue. It was noted Westmoreland County generally allocates $10,000 per year for demolition assistance in each of its municipalities. Council authorized adjacent resident Derek Terney to remove the remains of a trailer home on borough property near the sewage treatment plant, at no cost to Derry. Terney will be allowed to salvage materials from the structure. Councilman Andrew Walkinshaw noted an initial, similar attempt to have the eyesore removed backfired when a previous individual removed only the most valuable items--such as the furnace and some aluminum--and left the structure in even worse shape. Council adopted a new multi-municipal comprehensive plan developed for Derry, Derry Township and New Alexandria. Copies of the plan may be reviewed at the offices of any of the three municipalities, as well as at the New Alexandria Library and Derry's Caldwell Memorial Library. Council adopted a solid waste ordinance, requiring all residents to have their garbage hauled to an approved landfill. Another ordinance adopted by the borough increases the size of house numbers, needed for reference by emergency responders, from three inches to four inches in height. As county 911 officials continue with a comprehensive review of addresses, to eliminate similarly named streets, it was noted Aug. 31 is the deadline for residents of any private roads or drives in the borough to submit a request to have the official name of the road changed. Any changes made after that date will be at the property owner's ex-pense. A hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 19, prior to the council meeting, to take public input on proposed rezoning of vacant property west of the former ICI plant, from general industrial to urban residential. Owner Doug Richardson is planning to develop several single-family dwellings on the property. Due to observance of the July 4 holiday, council's next agenda planning session has been moved to July 12 at 7 p.m. All council sessions are held in the community room at the Derry Station senior citizen complex. A planning meeting for Derry's 125th anniversary celebration, slated for 2005-06, will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the borough municipal building. Volunteers are needed to help clean up the St. Joseph playground June 26 at 10 a.m.

Derry Borough Monday agreed to take over maintenance of the town's community park, at the old football field off Clifton Street. Council approved a 25-year lease of the property from the Derry Area School District. Derry Area Rec Board recently informed the borough it no longer can afford the cost of mowing and other upkeep at the park. Council will pay the district $1 per year for use of the property, with an option to pull out of the lease early. The borough already leases a playground at East Second Avenue and South Ligonier Street under a similar agreement. "I think the school district is glad we're doing it," said Councilman Eric Tepper. "The school district wants us to keep it going," fellow council member Lisa Knecht said of the park. Any equipment installed at the park must be approved by the school district, according to the agreement. Solicitor Matt Kovacik cautioned that the terms also call for the borough to restore the park back to its original condition at the end of the 25 years. "Depending on what you put there, it could be a costly proposition," he said. Knecht said she isn't concerned about that clause, indicating school officials gave her a verbal OK for redeveloping the facility's tennis court as a skate park. She said the only other plans for the property are to update play equipment. Knecht reported Sandy Gerhard and Kathie Kutzer have agreed to co-chair a committee seeking to raise $42,000 for the proposed skate park. "A lot of people are excited about it," Knecht said of the project, which supporters have pledged will not cost the borough any money. Knecht noted 300 youths showed up at the park for a recent meeting about the skate project. But the session was cut short by rain. The pavilion at the community park may be rented for $75. To make arrangements, call 724-694-2402.

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