DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
James R. Morrison Chief Administrator
When Jeremiah Murray arrived from Ireland in 1781, little did he know that he would become the founder of a beloved community nestled in Pennsylvania. Yet, this husband to Ann Montgomery and their five children, would forge ahead and discover in 1820 what is now known as Murrysville. Jeremiah would establish a farm and grist mills in the town and go on to become a general store merchant, the town miller, and even its Justice of the Peace. Today, Murrysville is a rural residential community of 22,000 known for its outstanding public school district, Franklin Regional, and its country-like setting consisting of more than 1,400 acres of parkland and open space. More importantly this beautiful town is Murrysville: Your Home, Now and Always.
The following personnel changes were administered by the Chief
Administrator in 2016:
• The hiring of Nate Ferree as a police officer in the Murrysville Police Department, due to a retirement.
• The hiring of Sarah Wood as an intern for special project assignments.
Other activities included:
• The Marcellus Shale Task Force completed its work and forwarded a draft Ordinance to Council, which was adopted as a“ pending” Ordinance. During the first half of 2016, Council held public education sessions that included: ➢ Review of Department of Environmental Protection regulations. ➢ Legal and land use issues. ➢ Environmental impacts. ➢ Best Management Practices.
• Public Hearings were held on December 14, 2016, for Draft Ordinance No. 930-15, an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance Regulating Oil and Gas Drilling and Ordinance No. 955-16, an Ordinance Amending the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Municipal Council will conduct a workshop to discuss the comments received at the Public Hearings, as the Municipality moves forward with possible enactment of the Ordinances.
• The Westmoreland Heritage Trail will become a reality in 2017. The Municipality began developing the Roberts’ Property trailhead across from Branthoover Cutoff. The bridges near Trafford Road will be upgraded and construction contracts for the trail from the Roberts’ trailhead to Trafford Road will begin. The contract for the Roberts’ property improvements will be let in March 2017.
• A new public services sign was erected along Route 22, near Cleveland Brothers. The sign will serve as a central communication hub that will include announcements pertaining to Murrysville events, public safety tips, weather
bulletins, and other notable activities and events throughout the community.
• Murrysville Council approved a five-year extension of the current contract with Keystone Collections to collect real estate and local taxes, except earned income taxes, for both the Municipality and Franklin Regional School District.
• A study is underway for the Murrysville Community Park Phase III. Recommendations will be presented to Council in Summer 2017.
• A five-year trash and recycling contract was awarded to Republic Services for Murrysville and Export. New to the contract is the residential curbside collection of Electronic Waste and Household Hazardous Waste, at no extra charge to the residents.
• Acquisition of preemption equipment for emergency services vehicles, which enables the vehicles to remotely control traffic signals to obtain a green light in the direction of the responding vehicle and red for all other directions. This equipment minimizes the danger of crashes and provides for a safer response during emergency calls for service.
• The enhancements for the Route 22 lights continued to improve traffic flow, aided in speed limit control, and expedited the movement of traffic through Murrysville. Due to the success of this project, Murrysville’ s program has been replicated by PennDOT in other communities.
• Rich Rupnik was appointed as a Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator for the Murrysville-Export Emergency Management Agency.
• Successfully negotiated a five-year contract between the Municipality of Murrysville and the union workers in the Public Works Department.
It’ s a privilege to serve as the Chief Administrator and I look forward to serving the community in 2017. urrysville MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE NEWS
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