May 30, 2013 By Terry Kish 3 min read

In a unanimous vote, Scott Township commissioners have decided to move forward with a $6 million dollar bond issue, the bulk of which will be used to tackle some major road projects in the municipality. The bond issue is expected to add an additional $250,000 to the township’s current debt service.

The action came at the end of the board’s May 28 regular voting meeting, following an executive session that lasted more than an hour. Board President Tom Castello resumed the meeting and read through a list of projects that would be covered by the bond issue, including the paving of Rockfield Road, Kane Boulevard, Swallow Hill Road from Greentree Road to Scrubgrass Road, Swallow Hill Road from Greentree to Carnegie and Finley Avenue from Carothers to Superior.

Work on area springs to mitigate water issues and curbing on Ryan Drive are projects included in the bond issue, as are various upgrades to township facilities, including the reconstruction of tennis courts and the addition of a water feature at the pool at Scott Park, restrooms at Spinner Field, site prep for the Hope Street and East Carnegie Parks, and a new synthetic ice rink planned for Scott Park.

During the public comments, Scott resident Pat Martin agreed with the board’s decision to use bond money for road repairs, but took issue with projects like the new parks and ice rink when people are having problems paying their taxes.

All these frivolous things can be put to the wayside, said Martin. “Live within your means.”

In addition to the road repairs covered by the bond issue, the board also voted to advertise for bids for their 2013 roadway improvement program. Roads being considered for bid this year include part of Carothers Avenue, Front Way, part of Orchardview, Robinwood from Cochran to Newburn Drive, part of Somerville, Peachtree and Bygate Circle.

In other business, the board voted to advertise that they would be voting on the township millage rate at their June 11 agenda meeting. Castello said the rate has to be set by June 15. The board also voted to advertise an ordinance for the consideration of a millage rate not greater than 4.456 mills.

Ward 2 Commissioner Bill Wells told the board that most of the residents in his ward have still not received their community newsletters, which the rest of the township received in early May. Township manager Denise Fitzgerald said the township had filed a claim with the Greentree Post Office.

Commissioner Pat Caruso reminded the board that the annual Scott Township Public Safety Day is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 8 at the lower parking lot in Scott Park. New this year is the addition of the disposal of electronic devices. Caruso said E-loop will be at the event collecting electronic waste.

Scott Township will again be sponsoring a boys’ Summer Basketball Program with a junior league for boys currently in grades three through eight, and a senior league for boys currently in high school or college. Registration for both leagues will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 4 and June 6 at the basketball courts at the lower end of Scott Park. Cost per participant for the “3 on 3” league is $20, payable at registration. Tryouts for team placement for the junior league will take place during registration, so junior league participants must attend one session to be placed on a team. Senior league participants will form their own teams. For more information, contact program director Tom Castello at 412-429-8247 or email tcastello@aol.com.