Feb 11, 2014 By Susan Schmeichel 1 min read

Bethel Park Council members on Feb. 10 appointed Brandon Colella to fill the Ward 2 seat vacated by the election of Jack Allen to mayor.

Colella, who owns a local construction company, has served as an alternate on the municipal zoning hearing board. He will fill the remainder of Allen’s term, which expires in January 2015. The seat will open for election in November.

Council members approved the appointment of Colella by a vote of 6-0. Council members Tim Moury and John Pape were absent.

“He will be a fine asset,” said Councilman Mark O’Brien.

In other business, council approved the volunteers fire company’s plan to construct a new fire station along Brightwood Road.

The new station will replace the original, which was built in 1954. The $8.2 million building is being funded by the .34 mill dedicated fire tax, which as overwhelmingly approved by voters in November. The tax will also provide a dedicated $300,000 for the company’s operating costs.

Dennis Ross, an architect with Pancheco Ross Architects PC, has said the new building can be expected to serve the fire company for 50 to 75 years.

Council also approved two ordinances to amend the municipal code to prohibit the feeding of wild animals.