Oct 13, 2017 3 min read

Donora Borough Council unanimously voted Thursday night to participate in the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s early intervention program for financially struggling communities.

Council President Gib Szakal said, “By entering into this program, we are being proactive.”

The borough is projecting a $100,000 deficit this year, but Szakal said that number is just a projection, and the actual number will be much less. The borough budget is $2.2 million.

The program will look at the borough’s budget and see where cuts can be made. Borough Administrator John Bednar said the estimated cost to enter the five-year program is $50,000 to $60,000, but the borough will qualify for grants that likely will see it paying just 10 percent of that amount, or $5,000 to $6,000.

Bednar said the enrollment process takes several months. He expects the borough to be enrolled in the program within about six months, at which point it will receive a list of five or six consultants, one of whom will be chosen, after interviews, to develop a five-year plan.

Bednar added rising costs and lower revenue have contributed to the borough’s financial hardship.

“The recent tax assessments were lowered, while everything else has risen. Our insurance costs, gas, electricity – everything keeps going up, but our revenue,” said Bednar.

On a positive note, the borough will be saving about $700 a month on electricity. APPI Energy Consultants helped the borough secure a five-year fixed rate of $0.0445 per kilowatt hour from Hudson Energy.

In another matter, Councilman John Conger said the recent meeting concerning the proposed CCAC campus at the former Donora Elementary Center was very promising. The feasibility study found the former elementary building had no major deficiencies. The proposed project has two options. One is to tear down the former elementary center and rebuild at a cost of $36.9 million. The second is to remodel and build an addition to the former building at a cost of $27.7 million. If all goes according to plan, the project will be put out to bid in 2018 and completed by 2020.

Conger said he feels confident a CCAC branch will be coming to Donora. Councilwoman Marie Trozzo said, “I left that meeting very optimistic. I think this is a go. Everyone here should smile and be happy. We are going to get CCAC here in the next couple of years.”

• Clean-up day will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Those interested in participating are asked to meet at the veterans memorial at Chestnut Street and McKean Avenue. For more information, call Chantal Bey at 412-606-7639.

• Autumnfest will be held Saturday, Oct. 21.

• The Halloween parade will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Participants will line up at 5 p.m. at Third Street and Meldon Avenue. Trick or treat will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.