Everson has a new animal control officer.

Council voted Monday to hire Sam Vargo after a review of the contract by solicitor Mark Rowan.

Vargo told council he does not put down dogs or non-feral cats. Pets found running loose are held as long as possible. If owners are not found, the animals are taken to the Pet Adoption League in Yukon, also a no-kill shelter. If the animal is not claimed, or if the owner does not want the animal, it is put up for adoption.

He will put out traps for cats. He often checks with local veterinarians to see if a stray animal might be one belonging to a local owner. He asks the vets to check for an implanted microchip to identify an owner. He said he has a Facebook page and a post on YouTube where he places photos of pets he has picked up.

Vargo said he will respond to assist police, ambulance, fire or social workers if an animal is blocking their way when they attempt to enter a location. He will randomly patrol the borough, pick up dead animals and notify the state game commission for injured animals such as white-tail deer.

Vargo said he does not attempt to remove groundhogs and similar animals, which he said are difficult to trap. Groundhogs and feral cats tend to carry diseases such as rabies. He said he will remove feral cats upon request and have them neutered at a resident's expense and returned to the site.

Rowan said he had checked and found Vargo's service to be excellent.

Vargo said he services in municipalities in Washington and Fayette counties.

Council approved the contract with Vargo and agreed to a retainer of $175 per month. The contract will expire Dec. 31, but will be automatically renewed unless Vargo or council terminates the agreement. Residents can contact Vargo at 724-483-0793 if they believe Vargo has picked up a lost pet.

Mayor Joseph Dugger and Council President Mike Banaszak reported the borough completed an emergency sewer repair on private property after raw sewage was found bubbling up on the property and running down a borough street. Banaszak said several attempts had been made to contact the property owner, who rents out the property, without a response.

The borough had a private contractor come in and fix the sewer line. The contractor found a number of problems. The cost of the repair was $1,800. Banaszak said a letter to the owner is being prepared for review by the solicitor. The property owner will be billed for the expense.

Banaszak said a number of borough offices, including four council seats, the auditor's position and a constable's position, are up for re-election. Councilman Randy Smith said he would not run for another term.

The next council work session is 6:30 p.m. March 3 in the borough building. The next regular council meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. March 16, also in the borough building.

Karl Polacek is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at kpolacek@tribweb.com or 724-626-3538.

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