JULY 2009 - Allegheny West Magazine

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BY PAT JENNETTE Whether it’s cable television, parks and recreation, finance, or public safety, one thing is certain -- the leadership team that represents the many facets that make Moon Township operate are on top of things. Last year was a tumultuous period in the township’s current history. Several employees either resigned or chose not to renew their contracts, for whatever reason. As with anything, time marches on and goals move forward. For a community to continue to serve its residents, those involved in the decision-making have no time to spare. And so the Moon Township team of department heads and directors, as they often do, met for their regular weekly meetings one summer morning at the township municipal building to update each other on their activities, hammer out problems and issues, and define the upcoming projects. Dana Kasler, who resigned from his position at parks director but subsequently returned to the job, decided to come back because there was so much on the horizon left to do and he simply liked being in Moon Township. “We have a major investment in redeveloping Moon Park and have recently awarded the bidding for Phase I,” he said. Working with the township’s public works department, which is led by Jim Henkemeyer, the park redevelopment project will see a considerable amount of savings due to the partnership of the two departments. John Scott, the administrator for the Public Works Department, said that his department is using its talented employees to prepare some of the infrastructure for the first phase of the parks project. The employees will install utility lines, excavate for road beds, and take care of other such tasks that would have required additional funds out of the township’s budget had Moon subcontracted those jobs out. Planning Director Adam McGurk, who is also director of the Moon Transportation Authority, said that enhancement of another portion of the community -- the University Boulevard corridor and properties adjacent to the main throughway, i.e. the now largely vacant <strong>West</strong> Hills Shopping Center plaza and Robert Morris University -- are in the midst of a major metamorphosis. “There is a lot of interest in University Boulevard, especially since the township set up an overlay district there,” he explained. He pointed to new facilities such as Sheetz, Arby’s and Walgreen’s that have emerged over the past two years that incorporate many of the aesthetics and design features required by the overlay district. While the future Wal-Mart complex on the <strong>West</strong> Hills Shopping Center property has yet to be finalized, Wal-Mart had purchased the property and is working out the transportation details with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to bring the project to fruition. Latest estimates are an opening date of 2011. Robert Morris University is in the midst of its own major overhaul. A new business school, nursing school, and Colonial Village -- a housing complex for visiting professors -- are just some of the school’s soon-tobe newest amenities to the rapidly growing campus. Dave Meinert, the township’s building code official, said, “And all of this is without impacting the township’s budget. We are seeing a diversified tax base becoming strongly rooted here that is successfully replacing what we once had as an airport community,” he noted. In fact, the last time the township’s taxes were raised was five years ago. ABOVE, LEFT: row 1, Jim Koepfinger, Greg Seamon; row 2, Janet Sieracki, Jeanne Creese, Charlie Belgie; row 3, Sarah Welch, Lisa Lapaglia, Adam McGurk; row 4, Dana Kasler, Dave Meinert, John Scott. ABOVE, RIGHT PAGE: top, Leo McCarthy; bottom: Jim Henkemeyer.
Lisa Lapaglia oversees the Finance Department. She reiterated the tax situation, noting, “Our revenue stream has remained consistent, and we have very few delinquencies. We are very cognizant of the resources we have and try to minimize expenses where possible, such as through our public works employees,” she said. “Our public works employees have an incredible skill set that makes them quite an asset to the township,” Lisa added. Charles Belgie, township fire marshal, said that the township’s volunteer fire department is continually upgrading its services. The fire department turns 75 years old this year, and one thing is for certain -- the department’s history has been one of continual preparation, and stays pace by keeping with the times. The department recently held a practice emergency evacuation event, and members of the department are set to become certified soon in Hazmat procedures. Every member is trained in the use and operation of all department equipment, and every opportunity available to the department for member improvement is explored. Jeanne Creese took over the helm as township manager this year. She sees her role as one of coordinator, and said that she allows each department manager to do his or her job because that’s what they have been hired to do. “The people here in those positions do an incredible job, and all of the projects that were underway when I came here have kept on rolling,” Jeanne said. She said that when she arrived at Moon, she sensed there was such a focus on the manager and several staff leaving that residents were calling the township office inquiring about the continuation of basic services. She noted that some very valuable people left the organization, and some very valuable people returned. “We’ve got an incredible team here right now,” she noted. Likewise said Greg Seamon, captain of the Moon Township Police Department. As with the other departments, the police department enhanced its services in recent times. Last year the department installed video cameras in Mooncrest to monitor the park and police substation with 24-hour surveillance. Using help from the public works employees, the police dispatch center was completely overhauled, which cost the taxpayers very little. And, the department just received a grant for the summer lunch program at Mooncrest, so that the children there can eat a healthy lunch while school is out of session. He said the township will have three officers trained to be a part of a regional CIRT team (Critical Incident Response Team), which is more commonly known as a SWAT team. The training is being offered by the South Hills Area Council of Governments (COG) and will include officers from surrounding municipalities. Regarding safety, Dave Meinert said that a new statewide building code was implemented in January that will require sprinklers in all buildings. He said his department focuses strongly on making sure building permits, inspections, and safety barriers around construction projects are adhered to yearround. “This simply makes for a safer community and a community with neighborhoods that maintain their beauty and value,” he noted. Jim Koepfinger, director of MCA-TV, the township’s community access television station, said the township will soon receive its second cable channel. The new channel will be accessed through the Verizon network, providing an expanded service that will allow meetings of the Coraopolis Borough council and Cornell School District to be aired for the public. “Eventually, we can include more of Crescent and also Neville Island,” he added. A new video server was launched on July 1, allowing viewers to see a significant improvement in the quality of MCA-TV broadcasts. And, to make sure the township’s 89 full and parttime employees know what’s going on, as well as the community, the township’s communications coordinator, Sarah Welch, takes care of sending out an employee newsletter, submitting news items and releases to media, and coordinating information between the township and school. The team had so much more to share, but it was time to get back to their respective offices. There’s a lot to be done, and time is of the essence. After all, they’re busy making sure Moon Township remains a vibrant, clean, safe, and enjoyable community for its valued residents.
Page 4 and 5: FEATURES ABOVE: Franco Harri
Page 6 and 7: OUR As with every issue, your comm
Page 8 and 9: Award Winning Care Close to Home Co
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Page 14 and 15: WEEKLY SUMMER READING FOR LITTLE ON
Page 16 and 17: BY NANCY MILLS Moon Garden Club
Page 21 and 22: Coign Asset Metrics & Technologies
Page 25 and 26: Congratulations
Page 27 and 28: “Carnot was a country crossroads
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JULY 2009 - Allegheny West Magazine

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