In brief: Plum, Oakmont area events, week of May 20, 2024
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McAfee donation covers repair cost for Unity fire truck
A donation from Pat McAfee is covering the entire cost to repair the Unity Volunteer Fire Department’s rescue truck, fire Chief P.J. Mudar said.
McAfee is Plum native who was a punter for the Indianapolis Colts punter who now is a television personality and podcaster.
Repairs to the 1999 Freightliner, one of the department’s five vehicles, were expected to cost $40,000 to $60,000. Its issues included cracked attachment points between the truck’s aluminum body and frame; and problems with its rear suspension, drive train, fuel and air brake systems and light tower.
A representative for McAfee did not respond to a request for comment.
Work on the truck is underway and it’s expected to be back in service before the end of summer, Mudar said.
Plum awards contract for Abers Creek Road culvert
Plum Council awarded a $937,809 contract to W.A. Petrakis for storm sewer and waterline work on Abers Creek Road.
The contract consists of a base cost of $532,359; water line replacement for $293,645; and stream mitigation costing $111,805. The Plum Borough Municipal Authority will reimburse the borough for the entire cost of the waterline work.
Work is expected to be finished before school resumes in the fall, borough Manager David Soboslay said.
Plum tax collector resigns, deputy promoted
Plum Council accepted the resignation of property tax collector Lisa A. Lagnese at its May 13 meeting.
Lagnese’s resignation is effective June 30. She could not be reached for comment.
Her deputy, Emily DeLuce, was named to replace her effective July 1.
Plum hires code enforcement officer, building code official
Jim Sims has been hired as Plum’s second code enforcement officer.
Sims, who is also chief of the Holiday Park Fire Department and the borough’s emergency management coordinator, will start in July and be paid $20 per hour, borough Manager David Soboslay said.
Sims replaces Mike DeMarco, a former borough police officer who now works for the school district.
Colton Duke was hired as a building code officials. His salary was set at $55,000. He replaces Sam Prokopik, who in April replaced Heather Oravitz as director of community development.
Plum Senior Center gets $45.8K state grant
A $45,800 state grant will support capital improvements and renovations at the Plum Senior Community Center.
The funding is appropriated by the Genera Assembly with proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery.
The Plum Senior Community Center is one of 45 senior community centers from 26 counties across the state that received funding from $2 million in competitive grants.
Plum reports cleanup day results
About 230 volunteers collected more than 240 bags of garbage during Plum’s seventh annual cleanup day on April 20, the borough reported.
Also collected, over about two hours, were 10 tires, 10 curtain rods, two car seats, a stroller, a high chair, a mattress and a fan.
The borough sponsors the annual spring event in celebration of Earth Day. Borough staff, residents, families, civic and church groups, homeowners associations and businesses participated.
PennDOT provided the borough with 200 vests, gloves and garbage bags. Sponsors were Consol Energy, Massaro Corp., Fahringer McCartey Grey, KU Resources, Noble Environmental, Olympus Energy and Bruce Dice & Associates.
Plum seeks junior councilperson
Plum, in cooperation with the Plum School District, is accepting applications until May 31 for the junior councilperson program.
The program gives an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to engage in borough government and develop leadership skills.
The term will coincide with the school year, from September through June. Candidates should submit an application to the borough with a one-page cover letter highlighting their interest in the position.
Applicants should be a borough resident and a high school or college student. The junior councilperson will be required to attend council meetings and write a monthly report for council.
The position is not paid, and the junior councilperson will not be permitted to vote or attend executive sessions.
Vitalant schedules blood drive in Oakmont
Vitalant will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 26 in the parish hall at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 374 Delaware Ave. in Oakmont.
Vitalant is a nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organization that provides blood to hospitals and patients across the U.S., specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and research.
Appointments to donate can be made online at vitalant.org, by calling 877-258-4825 or with the Vitalant smartphone app.
Rain barrel workshop slated
A rain barrel workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. May 30 in the banquet hall of the Plum municipal center, 2000 Mike Thomas Way.
Water captured in rain barrels can be used for lawn care, gardens, and washing cars. They can help reduce the flow of stormwater runoff, minimizing pollutants and is a free water source for irrigation.
Participants will be provided with a barrel and hardware to assemble their own rain barrels to take home. A short demonstration will be provided to ensure barrels are ready for use.
The cost is $35. Space is limited and registrations are being taken on the borough’s website, plumboro.com.
Plum Class of ’74 reunion in works
The Plum High School Class of 1974 will celebrate its 50th reunion Sept. 13 at Veltre’s Wedding & Event Center, 324 Coxcomb Hill Road in Plum.
For more info, call 412-366-6689 or email plumalum74@gmail.com.
Group offers support for weight loss
All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.
With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.
You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.
There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For more information, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.