Mar 12, 2014 By Deana Carpenter 3 min read

Discussion of the bollards on Carothers Avenue in Scott Township was on the agenda for commissioners at the board’s March 11 workshop meetings. Installed last year, the bollards – pillars meant to control or calm traffic – are meant to provide a sense of security.

Jonathan Glance of the firm Glance and Associates, along with Mark Smetko of Trans Associates, talked to the board of commissioners about the bollards. He said the bollards, which are in front of a bus stop, are meant to create a safety barrier and are made of concrete and reinforced with steel beams.

Commissioner David Calabria said the bollards “give a false sense of security” to people waiting for the bus or sitting on the bench.

Glance said that although the bollards have a substantial crash rating, if the intention of the township was to stop a car from completely crashing, then bollards are not the answer. “You would need a jersey barrier or a wall to completely stop a car,” Glance said.

The speed limit on Carothers is 25 mph and commissioners asked if the bollards would stop a car going at that speed. Glance said the part of the car that hits the bollard would stop and the bollards would “provide some level of protection.”

“They did stop a car from going into the bus shelter,” said commissioner Eileen Meyers of a recent accident.

Township police Chief James Secreet said that accident happened late at night and was a DUI and the speed at which the driver hit the bollards was not determined. Secreet said that the vehicle was drivable and the driver was able to make it to Route 50 before being pulled over by police.

Secreet added there are a lot of accidents along Carothers.

“They are there to protect – not to kill the driver,” said Meyers.

Smetko said if there is a history of crashes on Carothers, “We may need to move the bus stop.”

Commissioners discussed regulating PODS or personal on demand storage units in the township. The board is using Mt. Lebanon’s zoning ordinance regarding PODS as reference.

Bob Fischer, the township’s code enforcement officer, said the topic came up because some residents are “taking PODS to a different level.” He said the same goes for bag dumpsters, which some residents leave in their yards for extended periods of time.

Fischer said there have been complaints of utility trailers being used as PODS. He said some residents are “treating trailers like PODS on wheels” and are leaving them in their yards for weeks or months at a time.

The board is looking into expanding the definition of PODS, portable sheds and storage facilities.

Fischer added that there have also been complaints of residents parking boats and large RVs in their driveways or on the grass for extended periods of time. Fischer said he has been citing those who don’t have up-to-date registration for their boats and RVs.

Discussion of an ordinance to regulate PODS will continue at the board’s voting meeting March 25.