DERRY--Randy McCreary, the borough's current emergency management coordinator, has agreed to remain in the appointed position for the time being, while he and borough officials attempt to iron out a disagreement over a hazard mitigation survey.
Central to the disagreement, between McCreary and Mayor Susan Bortz, is whether the survey, issued last fall by county emergency management officials, should address potential hazards or only "known" hazards in the town. Also in question is how important the document would be in qualifying the borough for emergency funding in the event of a disaster, such as flooding.
At Monday's borough council meeting, Bortz stressed the importance of the survey while McCreary downplayed its impact.
McCreary indicated he had considered resigning after his handling of the survey recently was criticized and he received an April 4 letter from the borough, asking if he wished to continue in the local emergency management role. But, at Monday's meeting, he agreed to remain on board until he can meet with council's public safety committee and other officials to address the issue.
During an extended debate Monday, McCreary argued that a letter he received about the hazard mitigation survey, from county emergency management officials, should have been sent directly to council. He said no one followed through when he brought the survey to the attention of Derry officials at a previous meeting and suggested that county officials be contacted about it.
McCreary said he believes his primary role as emergency management coordinator is to serve as "a liaison between the county dispatching service and this locality" in the event of a disaster. He also argued that the hazard mitigation survey is meant to address known hazards that would be particular to Derry, not such possibilities as "a plane falling out of the sky."
"There is nothing in this mitigation information to tell of a known hazard we have in the borough now," he said.
McCreary, who noted he has been involved with emergency services since 1964, also suggested there is no immediate link between the mitigation survey and federal disaster funding.
"There was no money from the federal government," he said. "In the event money ever becomes available through Homeland Security, in the future, you may be able to write a grant."
Bortz, who also is the coordinator of homeland security programs at Westmoreland County Community College, disagreed about the survey and its funding implications. She indicated that thoughts on emergency planning have changed since a previous hazard survey was circulated among county municipalities four years ago.
She said the current document is meant to "identify potential hazards in the borough, of which flooding is one. Flooding seems to be the major hazard in the county."
By citing a hazard on the survey, she said, "If it does become a problem, we will be on the federal government's list for help if an emergency in the borough occurs."
Bortz said county emergency officials are "asking us to think ahead what might happen in Derry. We're working to try to establish preparedness plans."
McCreary expressed concern that indicating knowledge of particular hazards on the survey might expose the borough to increased liability. Borough Solicitor Matt Kovacik suggested it would be prudent for him to review the survey before it is submitted.
Also Monday, Derry council approved a cat licensing ordinance, agreed to look into a proposed noise ordinance and moved to advertise for a part-time ordinance officer. The cat ordinance sets a $7 fee for licensing a feline pet with the borough.
Addressing canines as well, the ordinance notes that any dog or cat running at large in town may be seized by an animal control officer. To retrieve a seized cat or dog, the owner would be required to pay a $15 penalty plus expenses. Seized cats or dogs that are unlicensed are to be held in a kennel for five days before being sold, given away or destroyed. A violation of the ordinance would carry a fine between $25 and $600 upon conviction.
Council authorized Kovacik to prepare a proposed noise ordinance that would prohibit loud noise in the borough between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
While borough police already are able to address excessive noise through a disorderly conduct citation, Kovacik noted officers were looking for additional direction from council on when to cite individuals.
Ramsden said the new ordinance officer would address such violations in town as junk vehicles, and would be scheduled for 20 hours a week, would take over the workload for such items from borough police, freeing officers for other duties. He added that the ordinance officer would be able to seek out violations while police have acted on complaints.
