News Briefs

Northgate H1N1 vaccinationsThe Northgate School District has announced dates for H1N1 vaccinations for students in grades 5-12.Superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield said, at the school board's regular meeting on Monday, that students in grades 9-12 will be able to receive the vaccine on Monday, Oct. 26, and Monday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 7 p.m.Bonfield said that students in grades 5-8, who are 10 years old or older, will be able to receive the vaccine on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 2 to 7 p.m.The vaccinations will be given at the middle/high school. There is no cost, according to Bonfield.Bonfield noted that the nasal spray form for children under the age of 10 has not yet arrived. He said that he believes it will be available in late October.Bonfield also said that children who have certain medical conditions such as asthma will have to be given the vaccine by injection.He said that parents will need to fill out a consent form for the vaccine that they will be receiving by mail. Bonfield said that a parent or guardian will need to accompany the child while receiving the vaccine. He noted that children ages 16 and older will not need to be accompanied by a guardian if they have a completed consent form.Bonfield said that the district has been authorized to give the vaccine only to students attending Northgate schools.Rocks bridge closureThe Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is advising motorists the McKees Rocks Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions this weekend, Oct. 23-26.The full closure will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and continue around-the-clock through 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26. For most of the weekend, motorists will be detoured using the West End Bridge in both directions.The West End Bridge becomes outbound (southbound) only after Steelers games. Therefore, the detour for inbound traffic will change after the Sunday game. The alternate detour for northbound (inbound) traffic on the McKees Rocks Bridge is take route 51 to Banksville Road to the Parkway West and travel through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Traffic then can cross the Fort Duquesne Bridge and take Route 65 northbound.The bridge will reopen to single lane traffic in each direction on Monday. Single lane traffic will remain in place through mid-November.Crews will be conducting concrete repairs, sawing and sealing joints and dams, replacing strip seals, caulking barriers, repairing barrier and roadway spalls and painting.New gear Avalon Borough will purchase a dozen sets of new bunker gear for the volunteer fire company. Council voted unanimously at its meeting on Tuesday to purchase the gear from Keystone Fire Apparatus at a cost of $16,740. Council member Vicki Donnelly was absent.Notification systemThe Northgate School Board, at its regular meeting on Oct. 19, approved a contract with Global Connect, who will provide a parent notification system for the district.According to board member Susan Nolan, the system will be able to notify parents by telephone about snow days, delays and early dismissals.The system is free for the first six months, after which the district will pay $2 per student using the system.Board member John Noll asked if the system will be able to send out text message alerts as well. Superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield said that it can, but noted that the district will "start out basic" at first.Bonfield also said that the district will be able to see who received the message and who did not, based on a report that the system generates.Contract extendedA five-year contract between the Northgate School District and the Northgate Educational Support Personnel was ratified at the school board's regular meeting on Monday.The contract includes an average of a 4 percent annual salary increase for the district's secretaries and teaching assistants, as well as two nurse assistants, according to superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield.The contract lasts until June 30, 2014.The board unanimously authorized the contract. Board member John Noll abstained from the vote, citing a conflict of interest.New salt buildingAvalon will have a new building in which to store road salt this winter.Council voted unanimously at its Oct. 20 meeting to purchase a "pony wall" system of large concrete blocks, at a cost of $7,200, and a cover assembly at a cost of $8,454.82.The structure will be placed across from the public works garage on Frederick Street, but is moveable, according to street committee chairman Ed Repp.Kiwanis donationThe Northgate School District received a donation from the Avalon-Bellevue Kiwanis club.Lenora Bauer presented a check for $700 to superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield at the school board's regular meeting on Oct. 19."This group has been so supportive," Bonfield said.Bauer said that the club was disbanding due to a lack of membership and wanted to make a donation to the district.Energy auditEmsworth municipal buildings are expected to be audited for their energy efficiency. According to council member Paul Getz, Allegheny County will solicit for bids for companies to perform the audits, free of charge to the borough. Getz said that the program is funded through stimulus money.If areas of improvement are found, the borough will be able to use the information gained to apply for various grants. AppointmentBen Avon resident Bob Whalen has volunteered to serve as the borough's representative on the ACORD board.A vacancy became available when Lisa Fitting recently retired from the Board.Council unanimously appointed Whalen to the position at its Oct. 20 meeting. Lloyd Corder and Todd Smith were absent.Light donationLight bars that once flashed on Avalon police cars will be seen in the future on a rescue boat.Avalon Council safety committee chairman Patrick Narcisi reported at the Oct. 20 council meeting that the light bars are no longer needed because the police cars come equipped with flashing lights in the grills.The old light bars, he said, were donated to NorthWest EMS for use on its river rescue boat.Hook-up allowedBen Avon council voted unanimously Tuesday to allow a home in Kilbuck Township to hook up to one of the borough's sewer lines.At the September council meeting, Don Lewis, representing Kilbuck property-owner Catherine Johnston, said the owners were trying to sell the house, but the bank wanted them to install a sewer line.Engineer Ed McGee said he has the final plans from Tait Engineering and the plans meet the borough's requirements. Council president Ken Opipery Jr. explained that Ben Avon had to have a survey done, which took some time, but the property closing is "still on track."Council members Lloyd Corder and Todd Smith were absent.Heights road maintenanceAvalon's street crew once again will be responsible for plowing and salting roads in Ben Avon heights.Avalon Council unanimously approved an agreement with the Heights to provide the service during the 2009-10 winter season at a cost of $150 per hour.Swim program employeesA number of swim program employees were hired by the Northgate School District at the school board's regular meeting on Oct. 19.Supervisors hired include Theresa Benson, Emily Czapko, Sean Halpate, Nancy Jakicic, Laurel McMahon and Mary Ann Sieber.Four lifeguards were hired as well: Gavin Carrigan, Valerie Kampsen, Lucas Nypaver and Mariella Stern.Jackie Berie and Carly Bishop were hired as instructor aides.Tax representativesEmsworth Council has unanimously approved a resolution designating the borough's representatives to the Northern Area Tax Collection Committee.Member Dave Heflin will be the voting member of the committee, and council president Maria West will be the alternate.Northgate H1N1 vaccinationsFacilities requestsA number of facilities requests were approved by the Northgate School Board at its regular meeting on Monday.The League of Women Voters was authorized to use the Bellevue Elementary auditorium on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., for a "Meet the Candidates Night."The Little Hoopers will use Bellevue Elementary gym for basketball on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 31 to March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.Avonworth Soccer Association, which includes Northgate students, was authorized to use Bellevue and/or Avalon gyms, depending on their availability, from Oct. 19 to Dec. 22.Road renamedEmsworth Council unanimously approved an ordinance renaming one of the boroughs roads at its regular meeting on Oct. 14.Conair Drive was renamed Best Drive.Officers hiredThe hiring of three new part-time police officers has been authorized by Avalon Council.Council voted unanimously at its Oct. 20 meeting to hire the three men. Council member Vicki Donnelly was absent.Northgate personnelThe Northgate School Board made two personnel decisions at the board's regular meeting on Monday.Heather Persson was hired as a long-term substitute teacher at the middle/high school for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year.Brandon Hogle was hired as an adjunct substitute teacher for the remainder of the school year.Quality of Life meetingAvalon's Quality of Life Committee will meet on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.The meeting was announced by committee chairman Patrick Narcisi.Band tripThe Northgate School Board authorized the Northgate marching band to participate in an educational forum at Disney World.The trip will take place Feb. 21-27 at no cost to the district.Elevator inspectionMarshall Elevator Company was hired to inspect and certify the elevator at Avalon Public Library.The work will be done at a cost of $573. About the Author The Citizen