How much does the Borough currently fund Brentwood EMS ?
In addition to providing space to Brentwood EMS without lease payment for many years , The Borough provides Brentwood EMS a stipend of $ 97,000 and also pays for the fuel for their vehicles . This equates to approximately 0.25 mils of collected property taxes .
Couldn ’ t the Borough provide Brentwood EMS with additional funding ?
Both proposals issued includes a cost / funding request for the Borough . There are many questions that will need to be asked by both organizations during negotiations to ensure that the residents of Brentwood receive the best EMS provider .
When will a final decision be made by Brentwood Borough Council ?
A date has yet to be determined but the driving factor is the demolition of the former Borough Building . This is a significant issue and Borough Council does not take this matter lightly . To ensure that both proposals are reviewed and analyzed thoroughly , Brentwood Council has retained the services of Page , Wolfberg & Wirth , LLC as Special Legal Counsel to advise and assist the Borough with the process . They are a law firm that specializes in EMS and will provide the Borough the expertise required throughout this process . They will not , however , be recommending one organization over the other . That decision will be Brentwood Borough Council based on the facts and through negotiations .
The ultimate goal is to ensure that Brentwood maintains quality EMS as they have for over 45-years . It is unfortunate that EMS organization across the country are struggling with low subscription rates , a reduction in billings , the arduous task of collecting , as well as an increase in expenses . Brentwood Borough is a unique and proud community . Brentwood EMS is one of the few remaining EMS providers that only cover onecommunity . Most other EMS providers have had to merge / combine services with another organization to help distribute expenses and increase revenues . A lot of people are trying to “ Save Brentwood EMS ” but there may be something to the fact that in over 5 years they have not been able to find a suitable building to relocate their operations before being able to provide the Borough with a proposal for any financial assistance .
Stay informed by tuning in LIVE to the monthly Borough Council meeting , every third and fourth Monday of the month ( unless otherwise noted ) at 7:30 PM by clinking the link from the Borough ’ s Web Site . Meeting Agendas & Minutes ( brentwoodboro . com )
Public Works
With autumn fast approaching we can expect to see the leaves changing color again soon , and the most striking difference will be watching the trees change . However , the Borough frequently receives calls concerning trees and requesting if Public Works can maintain or otherwise help take care of them . Unfortunately , if that tree is on private property , then the answer is no . All property owners must maintain the limbs and branches of all trees growing along the street , sidewalk , curb , or alley so they shall have a clearance of 8 feet or more above the surface of the sidewalk and be no less than 14 feet above the surface of the roadway . However , Brentwood Borough reserves the right to trim , cut , and / or remove trees within a legal right of way to the extent they overhang or encroach upon the right of way of above any borough street or alley .
Dead limbs must also be removed from the trees since these can fall and hurt somebody or cause damage to property . Residents also frequently call up to ask the Borough what can be done if or when the tree or any of its limbs should fall and cause damage to people or property . If something like this should happen , then that becomes a problem to address with the neighbor who owns the tree , not with the Borough ! Property owners are also responsible for bushes , brush , and other foliage up to the curb line of the road , so if you have trees or bushes outside your fence , make sure to keep those neat and tidy for everyone ’ s safety !
One fact that residents may not be aware of is that certain trees are not permitted to be planted in Brentwood within the lines of any street , alley , or sidewalk . These include different types of water-seeking trees , including willow , poplar , locust , and silver maple , as written into the Borough ’ s Code in Chapter 197 . To read more about our code , please go to brentwoodboro . com and click on the “ Borough Code ” selection on the main page . The reason for this is because both water and sewage lines run under the sidewalks and under the streets in Brentwood , so as the roots grow for these trees , they grow to reach towards the water . You can imagine what kind of damage that can do to sidewalks and road surfaces ! Mulberry trees are a particular nuisance since they grow so rapidly ; these trees can grow between 8 feet and 10 feet per year . Fertile varieties of mulberry trees also grow small berry-like fruits which drop off the branches in the summer and are well-known for being messy and for leaving stains on road surfaces , sidewalks , and cars .
We still have our wood chipping program running for two more dates this year ! If you or a neighboring homeowner are looking at trimming a tree this autumn and need a way to dispose of the branches , our Public Works can stop by with the woodchipper to remove them . If you would be interested in this service and in signing up for our remaining dates this year either on September 26th or November 28th , please feel free to make an appointment with Denise Assenti by calling 412-884-1500 ext . 115 or by email at dassenti @ brentwoodboro . com . Please be advised that this program only extends to residential properties and our Public Works members will have the final say on what can and cannot be chipped .
e
Happy Thanksgiving to all from the Public Works crew ! rentwood
CITY BRIEFLY OF MCKEESPORT BRENTWOOD NEWS
cKeesport
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ FALL 2022 43