Jun 14, 2018 3 min read

MONONGAHELA – Monongahela Council Wednesday honored Monongahela Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Brandon Miller for his efforts in saving a 9-year-old boy who was swept into the Monongahela River.

Miller, a 28-year veteran of the fire department, went above and beyond during the June 5 incident, said Monongahela Police Chief Brian Tempest.

“The call came in at 7 p.m. The boy was in the middle of the river bobbing up and down. At about 7:20 p.m., the boats were in the water and Miller jumped in to save him,” Tempest said. “He is a volunteer. He risked his own life to save this boy.”

The boy fell from a dock into the river in Forward Township and was swept by the current down the river. Firefighters from several nearby departments, including Monongahela, responded with boats. The boy was taken to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC for treatment.

Brett Greenlee of East Main Street asked council if there was a city emergency plan to combat recent flooding caused by strong storms this spring.

“My neighbors and I were affected in February and thought that it was just a fluke, but when it happened again this week, we wondered what could be done to help prevent it,” he said. “I have a neighbor that has anxiety every time it rains. The volunteer fire department is being called out, taking those resources away from other things.”

Councilman Ken Kulak said he is well aware of the problem and is amazed at how much water is still pouring into area streams several days after a rain. “I think we need to have our engineer look at the areas and maybe come up with a solution,” he said. Councilman William Polonoli said he would develop a list of problem areas for the engineer to assess.

Resident Sarah O’Brien asked about the city’s procedure for dealing with properties that have high grass. She added she has been dealing with a such a property for the past four years.

“Now reptiles have been seen crawling onto my neighbors’ porches from that yard. Who is going to pay the emergency bill if one of my nieces gets bit?” she asked. Councilwoman Claudia Williams said the code officer must notify the owner, who has 10 days to rectify the problem before being cited and going to court. Williams said Code Enforcement Officer Les Pemberton is citing properties on a regular basis, but the city must follow the procedure.

Council passed a resolution to amend and submit a grant application for the Greenways and Trails Grant in the amount of $63,750. The original proposal included better sidewalk and road access to the Aquatorium, which the grant reviewers deemed to be transportation and not covered. The amended grant will be used for more visible entrance signage.