[Sandbagger]

Parkside seeks volunteers
Published: Monday, May 03, 2010
By KENN STARK, Times Correspondent

PARKSIDE — Borough leaders keep repeating the same plea: We need residents to step up to help us improve our town.

Concerned citizen Bill Cropper recently rejuvenated the borough’s dormant town watch program. Unfortunately, he has found that volunteers passing the background check have been limited to himself and two others.

Residents willing and able to take an evening stroll around their neighborhood to help provide safety and peace of mind can enlist in the town watch effort by calling the borough office at 610-879-7994 or contacting Cropper directly at williamcropper@comcast.net.

The borough’s fourth annual Community Day celebration, tentatively planned for late September, is also having difficulty drawing enough volunteer.

Interested volunteers can leave a name and contact number at the borough office.

[Sandbagger]

Parkside puzzled on school zone signage
Published: Monday, May 17, 2010
By KENN STARK, Times Correspondent

PARKSIDE — Between borough and PennDOT officials and borough residents and a neighboring town, no one can quite agree on what kind of signage should be installed on Edgmont Avenue to curb chronic speeding through a school zone.

The 15 mph school zone at the Edgmont and Forestview crossing (the main entrance to Parkside Elementary School) continues to be a problem area.

Eighteen speeding tickets — a quarter of the Parkside Police Department’s total monthly volume — were handed out at this location in March.

Borough officials have often discussed student safety at the Forestview crossing with concerned parents.

All agree that the high-traffic volume intersection is a challenge for any crossing guard and every practical safeguard and precaution should be applied.

Despite the obvious need for additional signage to remind motorists to slow down in the school zone, a number of obstacles are reportedly standing in the way.

A few years ago, the borough purchased two heavy-gauge plastic strip-signs that read: “Slow-School Zone.”

The neon-green signs stood about 3-feet high and sat on the double yellow line in the middle of Edgmont Avenue.

For the past two years, both signs have been stored in the office closet of Parkside Police Chief John Egan, who puts removal of the eye catching signs squarely on the shoulders of Brookhaven’s fire chief.

According to Egan, the Brookhaven fire official filed a complaint with PennDOT, claiming that placement of the warning signs in a narrow section of Edgmont Avenue “might scratch the stainless steel wheels on his new rescue truck.”

Egan noted that Parkside Fire Chief Joseph Iacona never commented on the plastic signs, even though his company’s vehicles would traverse the Parkside school zone more frequently.

Confronted by a PennDOT inspector with a formal complaint in hand, Egan said he yielded and removed the cautionary signs himself.

“I begged this guy, and had to remove the sign,” Egan told council. “If you want to lay blame anywhere, it lays with the fire chief in Brookhaven, because he’s the one who complained about coming down here to assist on fires.”

When asked by council if the closeted signs could be redeployed, Egan said yes, but only until the Brookhaven fire chief complains to PennDOT again.

Rob Montella has been Brookhaven’s fire chief since 2002, and he freely admits he is the one who called PennDOT to complain about Parkside’s centerline speed-control signs.

“I’m trying to avoid an accident on a narrow street,” Montella said of his complaint. “I’m just the fall guy because I said something, but it was dangerous to my guys.”

Montella notes that the top of the plastic signs are wider than the double yellow lines, creating a hazard on a state road that is less than the standard 28-feet width.

The placement of the sign near a curbside storm sewer meant fire trucks would have to drive over the recessed inlets to avoid hitting the signs, risking tipping the truck into a utility pole, according to Montella.

Simply driving over the durable signs is not the answer, Montella insists, as the lightweight signs could become a projectile.

While Montella makes no apologies for protecting his firefighters and equipment, he said he is willing to talk to Egan about relocating the signs to a safer spot in the school zone.

Edgmont Avenue business owner/operator Mike Crilly has suggested the installation of overhead caution signs should be investigated to eliminate view obstruction created by roadside poles.

It was noted that overhead signs must be at least 14 feet 2 inches high on any state road.

According to Parkside parent Lisa Burke, overhead signs cost about $8,000 each — a prohibitive price for the cash-strapped borough.

“I know it’s money, but it’s also safety,” Crilly advised borough council.

One signage improvement that has been suggested by PennDOT inspectors is the curbside installation of two new yellow School Zone signs on Edgmont Avenue.

According to a recent PennDOT report, the Edgmont Avenue school zone flashing light is operating in compliance, as it has been since 2004.

[Sandbagger]

Parkside may join forces with Chester for grants
Published: Wednesday, June 02, 2010
By Kenn Stark, Times Correspondent

PARKSIDE — This borough may be “small, but strong” (the official motto), but when it comes to filing for grants, it’s a good idea to join forces with the city next door.

Borough council is hoping to submit grant applications as joint requests with Chester. Grants are easier to come by when municipalities make cooperative efforts with their neighbors.

Extending Parkside’s Woodlot walking trail to link up with the path at Chester Park was recently suggested by a resident and investigated by borough Engineer Lisa Catania.

According to Catania, Chester Parks and Recreation Department officials are open to the idea, if funding can be found.

While no specific entity was identified as a potential funding source, a joint Parkside-Chester grant application will be pursued to cover the expense of creating roughly 1.5 miles of walkway to connect the two public parks.

A joint grant could provide funding for improvements to the Edgmont Avenue corridor. State money is available for revitalization projects along state-owned roadways, such as Route 352, but landing these funds is highly competitive.

A joint Parkside-Chester revitalization grant will also be sought from the county, and would be applied to Edgmont Avenue streetscape upgrades, including live plantings, new curbing or sidewalks, and improved lighting.

[Spring7012]

Letter to the Editor: Reconstruction near Parkside school cause for concern
Published: Sunday, June 06, 2010

No comments posted. | Email to a friend | Print version | ShareThis| RSS Feeds


To the Times:

I’m writing this letter in the hopes of eliminating someone, more likely a child, from getting seriously hurt and our corporation being involved in lawsuit.

My wife and I consider ourselves advocates for the special-needs community. I understand the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lost a lawsuit to the tune of $600 million; therefore it began redesigning and reconstructing the handicapped crosswalks allowing pedestrians in or out of wheelchairs access to cross the road in addition with visual impaired aids. In their construction, they have manufactured safety hazards.

My wife and I have been operating an auto-repair business for 21 years, located in the borough of Parkside, next to Parkside Elementary School on Edgmont Avenue (Route 352), so we are located in the school zone. The new hazards due to the reconstruction are as follows:

1) The Trip Hazard: They installed a 6-½-inch curb between my parking lot and the sidewalk. This is installed on both Edgmont Avenue and East Forestview Road. This trip hazard is a problem for the children, both entering and leaving school, for children who are on bikes and skateboards, as well as adults. It’s also a hazard for the visually impaired and an obstacle for wheelchairs.

2) Sharp protruding curbs: In the construction of the curbs, on at least two they have made sharp 90-degree curbs. If someone does fall hitting the point of the curb, it is at least a sure trip to the hospital. The previous curbing had all smooth radiuses.

3) Blinded Crosswalk: The crosswalk has been relocated behind a telephone pole. The pole hides a child while they are standing behind it while trying to cross busy Route 352. The operator of a vehicle cannot see through a pole, therefore a child can step right into their path without any time to react. The prior crosswalk was located before the pole with pedestrians in open sight of an operator of a motor vehicle.

In closing, I have contacted state and local officials, inspectors and engineers, all blaming the Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit for these hazards.

I’m seeking your help to try and get these issues resolved. I would be happy to meet with anyone for further discussion.

MICHAEL CRILLY

Parkside

[Sandbagger]

Parkside discusses ordinance changes
Published: Sunday, September 26, 2010
By KENN STARK
Times Correspondent

PARKSIDE — Borough council intends to adopt changes to the ordinance that controls the use of portable ‘sandwich’ signs, but a proposed measure to control the use of guns could not even muster enough support to approve advertising.

Borough Solicitor John Wills will write the amendments to Chapter 155 of the borough code. The new language will limit sandwich signs to one per commercial property, and to 6 square feet of space on each of the two panels.

“There’s one person now putting out two signs, and somebody said that they were thinking about three or four of these sandwich signs out on the public sidewalk, and I just don’t think that would enhance the borough,” Councilman James Kilgallen said.

The proposed sign ordinance amendments will be advertised for public review for one month, then placed on the Oct. 27 meeting agenda for adoption.

One borough businessman wanted the ordinance to further restrict the portable wooden signs.

Barber Tony Damico has operated an Edgmont Avenue shop for the last 27 years. It is the 81-year-old’s third business location in a 60-year barbering career.

When a new hair cuttery opened across the street from Damico, the seasoned vet objected to his competitor’s use of signs touting “Best Haircuts” and “Best Service.” Damico recently told council that he regarded the wording as an “insult” and “slander.”

Wills confirmed that the borough could regulate sign language, but only to exclude obscenities. Borough action in this case might lead to “some First Amendment issues,” said Wills.

“The Commonwealth does have regulations against false advertising, but the attorney general’s office would handle complaints of that nature,” Wills said to Damico.

While proposed changes to the sign ordinance drew public comment, not a word was spoken in support of a proposed gun-control ordinance for the borough.

Under the heading of Ordinance 495, the proposal read: “It shall be unlawful and it is hereby prohibited for any person or persons to discharge any shotgun, rifle, gun, pistol, revolver, BB-gun, or other firearms in the pursuit of game or for the purpose of amusement for himself or others within the limits of Parkside.”

The firing of blanks would be regarded the same as firing live ammo in the eyes of this law, it was noted.

The proposed ordinance made an exception for gun use “in defense of person or property;” authorized police officers to “seize and impound” any firearm used in violation of the law; and provided a $1,000 fine for violators.

The public’s lack of enthusiasm for the gun prohibitions was shared by the majority of council, as reflected by the 5-2 vote against advertising consideration of adoption.

Councilman William Howell noted that Police Chief John Egan recalled “one, maybe two” arrests for discharging a gun in Parkside over the last three years.

“So it’s not like we’re having a problem,” Howell said. He also suggested that a borough gun ordinance would be superseded by existing federal gun-control laws.

Council President Shirley Purcival and Councilwoman Jackie File-Barlow cast the two votes in support of advertising the gun regulations.

Purcival said after the meeting that she would accept the majority ruling and shelve the proposal.

[Sandbagger]

Parkside seeks block captains
Published: Sunday, October 31, 2010

PARKSIDE — Borough council is looking for civic-minded residents to serve as block captains on each of the two dozen blocks in the borough.

To volunteer to be a block captain, call Councilwoman Jackie File-Barlow at 610-256-6585 or the borough office at 610-876-3659.

— KENN STARK

[Sandbagger]

Parkside police to scan Halloween candy today
Published: Sunday, October 31, 2010

PARKSIDE — As in previous years, the borough's police department will be providing free candy scans on Halloween, from 5-8:30 p.m.

In addition to metal detector scans at borough hall (22 East Elbon Road), extra police patrols will be on the streets during the evening to promote safety.

— KENN STARK

[Sandbagger]

Parkside taking aim at tax delinquents
Published: Monday, February 07, 2011
By KENN STARK
Times Correspondent

PARKSIDE — The borough is planning to continue its recent campaign to take tax delinquents to court to force payment.

Last year, borough Solicitor John Wills helped the borough collect several thousand dollars in unpaid trash service fees, dating back to 2006, from a nonresident landlord who owns eight rental properties.

That same landlord, James DeSaverio of West Chester, is now delinquent on his 2010 trash fee payments for all of his Parkside properties.

The base trash fee is $160 per household per year, but adding in attorney fees, court costs, interest penalties, and fines for late payment that were all enacted last year, DeSaverio’s 2010 tab is already up to $3,500, according to Wills.

DeSaverio’s account is one of 17 unpaid 2010 Parkside trash fee accounts, according to the borough.

As was done last year, Wills will be placing municipal liens on each of the delinquent properties, to ensure the borough eventually gets paid at property resale or refinancing.

Township Tax Collector Olivia Avila-Deitman reported a total of 29 borough property tax folios for 2010 were delinquent at year end.

The borough’s 2011 property tax bills have been sent out and were turning up in mailboxes as of Feb. 1.

[Sandbagger]

Snow shoveling help available in Parkside
Published: Tuesday, March 01, 2011
By KENN STARK
Times Correspondent

PARKSIDE — While everyone may be hoping that they can soon put their snow shovels back into storage, the possibility of more snowfall still looms.

But senior citizens in this borough should not despair. Hometown help is available.

Code Enforcement Officer David Favinger recently reported to borough council that “quite a few citations” have been handed out this winter for noncompliance with the ordinance that requires the prompt clearing of sidewalks.

Under the borough code, a 24-inch-wide pathway must be cleared within 48 hours of the end of a snowfall. Citations can be up to $300, but Favinger has been issuing $20 citations to first-time offenders.

In speaking to some of the cited residents, Favinger learned that many are senior women, who can no longer shovel snow. In those cases, the citations were dismissed, he said.

Favinger noted that the borough has compiled a list of able-bodied Parkside youth who have expressed their willingness to bend their backs for cash. The cost to hire one of these snow removers would be negotiated between the shoveler and the resident.

The borough office phone number is 610-876-3659.