A LOOK BACK AT 2016 WITH A VIEW TOWARD THE FUTURE A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROSS BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, JEREMY SHAFFER
Facility which was recently opened. The Township now has a state of the art facility and resources for those performing and coordinating many of our infrastructure improvements. The facility enables our Township to store over twice as much salt for the winter, and we are now able to maintain all our vehicles in a covered space extending their life and ultimately offering long-term savings to taxpayers.
Pursuing Grants to Achieve our Goals The Board works hard to improve our overall quality of life through aggressively applying for grants from the State, County, and Foundations that can help us accelerate efforts to achieve our goals. We have been extremely successful in 2016 because we were awarded multiple major grants to improve the McKnight / Siebert intersection, develop a master pedestrian plan, and conduct specific park improvements among other projects. You can already appreciate the benefit of some of these grants by looking at recent work done in Herge and Evergreen Parks. oss Township
ROSS TOWNSHIP NEWS
Jeremy Shaffer, Ph. D. President, Ross Board of Commissioners( Ward 8)
2016 proved to be a very productive year for your Ross Township government. I am proud of the many accomplishments that we were able to achieve as we sought to efficiently and effectively serve over 31,000 residents. While we must remain alert and responsive to ever changing economic and societal trends, we are well positioned to make Ross a better place to live, work, and play in 2017 and beyond.
Strong Financial Management The Board of Commissioners has continued to hold the line on taxes through prudent financial management. Over the past few years, we have maintained and grown our reserve funds while continuing to address strategic needs. The Board has worked hard not only to address present needs but also to avoid future problems. Our pension funds are fully funded, and starting in 2016 we created a generous“ 401( k) style” defined contribution plan that covers many of our new hires – creating a win-win situation for the Township and the employees. Our financial efforts have not gone unnoticed, and Ross Township has a higher bond rating than either Allegheny County or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!
Investing in Our Infrastructure The Board continues to make major investments in our infrastructure to improve our roads, parks, sewers, and storm water pipes as part of an on-going, long-term process. We are beginning to make a dent in the backlog of needs, and we will continue to chip away at it in 2017 and beyond. Just one tangible aspect of this focus is our new Public Works
40 Ross Township
Working to Maintain and Strengthen our Neighborhoods and Retail Corridors The Commissioners have continued to be deeply engaged in working to improve our major retail corridor – McKnight Road. We are beginning to see tangible fruits of positive redevelopment with the new Northway Mall“ The Block” and smaller developments including Chick-Fila and First National Bank( old Kia Dealership location). However, it is our residential neighborhoods that truly form the core of who we are in Ross. As such, we are constantly working on ways to retain and improve the quality of all our distinctive communities.
Better Government – Always Reforming The Board has adopted a number of policies throughout 2016 to help improve our openness and transparency. From updating our website with more information to an enhanced social media presence, we seek to better inform and engage our residents. Additionally, the Township has adopted a number of new policies to improve the accessibility of the Board’ s appointment process for various Boards and Committees.
Your Commissioners are here to serve you! Ross Township’ s greatest asset is our residents. Please remember your Commissioners are here to serve you. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me or another Commissioner if you have concerns, questions, or suggestions. It is my continuing hope that as a community, we can work together to make Ross an even better place for all our residents!
Best regards, Jeremy Shaffer, Ph. D. President, Ross Board of Commissioners( Ward 8) Email: commward8 @ ross. pa. us Phone: 412.837.9003