Shaler Township Engineer, Mr. Matthew Sebastian, P.E. and the
Shaler Township Building and Zoning Officer, Mr. Robert Vita are
willing to provide any Shaler Township resident with advice for
flood protection. They can be reached at the main number of
412.486.9700.
This advice is especially pertinent for those residents in a
delineated floodplain of a major stream in the Township, such as
Pine Creek, Girty’s Run, and the two branches of Little Pine Creek,
which are prone to periodic flooding.
Both Mr. Sebastian and Mr. Vita will assist you in determining
the approximate floodplain delineation on your property by using
the latest edition of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). They
will also provide technical advice on how to retrofit your property
to protect against flooding.
It is important to protect our natural floodplains, when possible,
by discouraging building new structures or placing fill in them.
These activities will reduce the amount of available overflow
space from the waterways in the event of a flood.
Shaler Township encourages you to build responsibly, by
getting the appropriate permits from the Township and not
disrupting natural drainage channels. If you are replacing a
damaged mechanical unit (such as a furnace or hot water tank),
elevate it above the typical flood level.
If you ever find yourself in a flooding situation, it is important
that you protect yourself by not trying to traverse a flooded
intersection and avoid it at all costs. Flood waters have a
tremendous amount of power and can overwhelm vehicles, in
addition to harboring a wide variety of potential contaminants.
SEEKING GIRTY’S RUN
JOINT SEWER AUTHORITY
BOARD MEMBER
The Shaler Township Board of Commissioners are requesting
any interested parties who wish to volunteer their time as a
member on the Girty’s Run Joint Sewer Authority Board to contact
the Township. Preferred applicants should live in the Girty’s Run
Joint Sewer Authority district. Letters of interest will be accepted
for the position until December 15, 2016, and should be directed
to: Tim Rogers, Township Manager, 300 Wetzel Road, Glenshaw, PA
15116.
The position would require the member to attend the Girty’s
Run Board meetings which are scheduled the second Thursday of
each month, at 7:00 p.m. at the Girty’s Run Joint Sewer Authority
offices. For more information, please contact Tim Rogers at
412.486.9700.
Shaler | Winter 2016 | icmags.com 39
TOW N SHI P OF SHAL E R N E WS
The Township of Shaler continues to participate in the National
Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, which is
designed to lower your flood insurance rates. If you live in a flood
hazard zone, you must purchase some type of flood insurance
from an insurance provider.
Participation in this program consists of a number of activities
ranging from storm water management to flood control to
emergency response plans and public education.
One of the activities requires the Township to provide public
education material to residents who live in a flood plain area of
the Township. By providing information through the Shaler North
Hills Library and the Township’s website (www.shaler.org) we hope
to help you understand flood proofing techniques, learn about
implementing flood prevention measures, and provide sources to
obtain financial and technical assistance.
More information can also be obtained at the Federal
Emergency Management Agency website, www.fema.com. A link
to