Pay raises approved for Ross employees
Department heads and other nonunion employees in Ross are getting raises averaging 2.5 percent this year.
The commissioners unanimously approved the raises in the 2015 pay schedule at their Jan. 5 meeting.
“It ranged from 2 percent to 5 percent,” said Ross manager Doug Sample, who received the biggest percentage increase. His pay is rising from $89,425 last year to $93,896 this year.
The pay of police Chief Robert Bellan increased from $105,848 to $109,022; finance director Dawn Lane, from $75,000 to $76,500; chief inspector and building code official Dan Hankins, from $60,500 to $62,013; public-works director Michael Funk, from $75,500 to $77,388; and recreation director Eloise Peet, from $51,750 to $53,044.
“I believe the salary schedule for 2015 reflects a fair and equitable salary system for the township,” Commissioner Steve Korbel said.
Sewage fee
The township's sewage-use fee will rise 20 percent this year.
The new rate is $4.50 per 1,000 gallons of water used, compared to $3.75 in 2014. Alcosan estimates that the average household uses 15,000 gallons of water each quarter.
The reason for the increase, Ross officials have said, is a consent decree involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Allegheny County Health Department to comply with standards of the federal Clean Water Act.
Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer cast the only dissenting vote.
He said the township has a uniform sewage-use fee for all residents even though different sewer authorities cover various areas of the township. As a result, he said, some low-cost areas, such as his Ward 8, subsidize some high-cost areas.
“I couldn't in good conscience force them to subsidize the rest of the township,” he said. “I am also deeply concerned about the rising sewer rates, and we need to aggressively try to control their increases.”
Board vacancy
Township officials are taking applications from Ross residents to fill a vacancy on the zoning hearing board.
The opening was created when David Uhl's term expired at the end of December.
Those who would like to fill the position should send or deliver a letter of interest to township manager Doug Sample by noon Jan. 16 at 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
Traffic input
The Ross Township Traffic Advisory Board is seeking public input on traffic issues.
The commissioners created the board last year by appointing five Ross residents to address residents' concerns. The board meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the municipal building.
To bring a concern before the board, a resident must submit a written request to the board specifying the location and issue.
People may submit their requests in person at the municipal building or by mail to the board at the Ross Township Municipal Center, 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15237. Residents also may email township manager Doug Sample at dsample@ross.pa.us or Commissioner Paul Trilli at commward7@ross.pa.us.
Residents should send their requests at least 21 days before an upcoming meeting.
Bill Zlatos is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-772-6353 or bzlatos@tribweb.com.
