Elizabeth adds part-time staffer

Invoices totaling $13,000 have been paid so far to vendors dealing with flood-related problems since Elizabeth declared a state of emergency on July 10.

Borough council gave unanimous approval to those invoices at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Council approved the hiring of an additional part-time public works employee to handle the duties part-timer Rick Vasquez has not been able to do since he and public works director John Grossi began tackling flood problems.

Problems in Elizabeth received special attention from U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, in his letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate.

“The borough, which has a population of 1,493 people and a budget of only $774,117 for fiscal year 2012, is unable to afford road and stream repairs and may be forced to permanently close certain streets,” Murphy wrote.

“Congressman Murphy said he would be willing to work with us in any way,” council president Monica Glowinski said. Councilwoman Paula Stevens recalled his assistance to the borough after the “Snowmageddon” storm of 2010.

Murphy's letter listed other Allegheny and Washington county communities in his 18th Congressional District that had flood damage on July 10, including Elizabeth Township, Jefferson Hills and West Elizabeth.

Council approved a $15,000 payment toward the borough's tax anticipation note. Glowinski said that leaves approximately $30,000 of the $75,000, an amount that could be paid by the end of September, three months ahead of the Dec. 31 due date.

At Councilman Larry Duvall's suggestion, council authorized applying for a $50,000 state grant that could enable the borough to install new docks along the Monongahela River.

Duvall said a $10,000 match is required but could be covered by non-cash means. He said a review also would be required with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Council agreed to send a letter to the Project Lifesaver program on behalf of Dana Cogley, who is seeking assistance for her autistic son.

Council heard concerns from other residents, including a woman who said she has not received a response from borough police to her complaint about someone trying to break into her home.

She said she was reluctant to call 911 because it was not an emergency. Mayor David Householder and some of the councilors assured her that she can call 911, state it is not an emergency, and get her complaint on the record.

Patrick Cloonan is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1967, or pcloonan@tribweb.com.