[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6099476,"mediaKeyId","2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704","parentId",2817159,"title","Council approves $78,000 trail feasibility study with GAI Consultants","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",1693000,"endMs",1770000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704&start=1693&end=1770","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704/thumbnail_1693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099476/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-78000-trail-feasibility-study-with-GAI-Consultants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099476-2b8b4e980323b8112ab491b9d1b3bb59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163705&Signature=CwHGCRtRKwcpjf-bhF-kH-3dI2rxF3kXpcPQssCDc2XkAU8AzC9QwDDRj7o5qSo971m6F88~nKjdPGXe0ZO8Y91UivXdWoH~eK30-duO8FKxSQVtLKn7krn1VMkC1EtOixoJHTTY0VRdfjjNtvyye6V7nDiNyVYIvnLbZWfpvKmR59TltdKugzZFlvDFF4PBIpcl7DVynYACxiG4KQM69-MSiHif8nALw6sU6EV8DvaSMe7cq2oSuxRGGPtPuVCUjRuEOzMu-3DnbtaEfI8I9ZEyMzUgx7ACeUPp68cCE7D73tTcBIg3I7vfW2nAa48eBKqyOKYA4oyrDuZTB-4qNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Crafton Borough, PA","date","2025-03-28T14:00:10Z","article","The borough’s Trail Study Subcommittee recommended GAI Consultants Inc. to perform a borough trail feasibility study and council voted to approve the recommendation on April 8.

Manager Bridal said the subcommittee reviewed proposals from nine firms and recommended GAI by consensus. The total contract price is $78,000; that amount was budgeted in the bond fund and the borough will provide one half ($39,000) from bond funding. Council approved the motion by voice vote.

Why it matters: the feasibility study will examine route options, costs and potential impacts for a borough trail; the study is the preliminary step before design or grant applications for construction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting - March 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Trail Study Subcommittee recommended GAI Consultants to complete a feasibility study for a borough trail; council approved the $78,000 contract, half paid from the bond fund.","taxTitle","Crafton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71363,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099480,"Manager reports Crafton exploring membership in county land bank to address vacant properties",500,6887000,7387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704&start=6887&end=7387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704/thumbnail_6887000.jpg","/articles/6099480/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Manager-reports-Crafton-exploring-membership-in-county-land-bank-to-address-vacant-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099480-c021d934c6db97e7dfa62e6a9e33b643/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163705&Signature=k4szGU2r7VbF0aLBtqcQc1eA7CQin3uwXB-S45DLOhCAVDTKo0pTb-nxnNebvRv1QvTsS1wcbxz9ceVCLhCWa2WbIoa9rSXc3EwjzmoC-ZlGd7zdE8hB0E5dhjh7ZZ1viuQMRPZ4p6-qjLNJsgMfpskn07CMvOGDTO3edZFoC~73OeOcZ5fIjx3O1dpMXlts~08GmJtP8xiyXNW9fhj2~TJCKWioozGA-CHlPyu6VTehBGBEahciANSFS2R4idI~w9liAQkUVFpwhYXOPSaqL0OsqIpnCSWdbwRYXqnhVhz3rY75duonpIq9XYbso-lstQwsbPBMLCtEMjwuwvB0Jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crafton’s borough manager told council on April 8 that he met with the regional land bank to explore membership as a tool to address vacant and tax‑delinquent properties.

The manager explained the land bank — enabled by state law in 2012 — can purchase properties that do not sell at sheriff sale, rehabilitate or resell them and thereby remove blight without the borough having to pursue costly demolition. Under the typical land bank model the borough would pay an annual fee, the land bank would acquire property, rehabilitate and sell it, and the borough would receive a portion of tax revenue thereafter. The manager said the land bank requests advisory input from member communities to prioritize properties they want the land bank to pursue.

The manager said Crafton would need to commit to membership by October if it wants to participate in the upcoming round and that several local properties appear to be candidates for the program. He also clarified properties owned by the school district or municipality are not eligible unless they are tax‑delinquent. Council discussion framed the land bank as a tool to preserve existing housing stock rather than clear lots for redevelopment: the manager reiterated that demolition often makes future redevelopment unlikely because building costs exceed current sale prices.

Why it matters: joining a land bank would give Crafton an additional tool to address vacant and deteriorated properties without immediate borough capital expenditures for demolition; specific costs and revenue sharing were described as part of the land bank model and will be part of future council consideration.","Borough manager met with the land bank director about joining a regional land bank that can acquire tax‑delinquent properties for rehabilitation; council will consider whether to join before the land bank's October sign‑up deadline.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099484,"Residents press council over road closures and social‑media rumor about joining Pittsburgh services",392,140000,532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704&start=140&end=532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704/thumbnail_140000.jpg","/articles/6099484/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-council-over-road-closures-and-socialmedia-rumor-about-joining-Pittsburgh-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099484-f2ff05f2e97ccd47f62d68e0d24e8c21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163705&Signature=Vh8hLRiJyUFGk8pveaC9wTTPOau~hTcWS6d0Mq84vo~0FZ65qih5scx52z8YEE0iCGQm0WF8apGhH18S5szsRFFYiHPsIydpvaar~yClRYbaLO68CxxetudJs0EorlnaqcY27-CZ0TMxVAVUE-I28gp786NqcC8o4ZwGa7AJl67V-6ULzl0Vi4QeC2sRX5QFRwGFBHzPL-BEEDn6rQflfA9oCtzjyCEBGl0BT~98MHSXI-2CK8tK~B1lCQn2SLbqGk1Ywx9xbTzIkq59skFfKGBuQ7Ee5Io5JhyTbwAg4hesq13cLwvOW2MQ~Wr404qWt~OTgGSAAVanjjrOUjq4lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public‑comment portion of the April 8 meeting a Crafton resident raised two concerns: multiple simultaneous road closures that interfered with school bus routes, and a social‑media claim that borough officials had contacted the City of Pittsburgh about providing police, fire, EMS and public works services to Crafton.

The resident said repeated, overlapping road closures had forced her — a school bus driver — to alter routes and that the borough should notify school transportation providers in advance for permitted work. Borough staff and councilors responded that permitted work (for example restoration by a gas company) can be scheduled and communicated; emergencies such as unplanned gas work may not allow prior notice. Engineer Keenan and staff said they will coordinate permitted closures with school bus companies when notice is available.

On the social media allegation that Council Member Jim Price (referred to in the comment) had contacted Pittsburgh to explore outsourcing or merging Crafton’s fire, police or public‑works services, Mayor Perry and other councilors denied any such intent. Mayor Perry said the borough had contacted Pittsburgh two years earlier only to solicit potential bids for garbage service; Pittsburgh declined because it lacked capacity. Perry and other councilors said there have been no discussions or plans to transfer or merge the borough’s fire, police or public works with Pittsburgh, and they urged residents to use the borough’s official website and social accounts for verified information.

Why it matters: the exchange clarified borough policy and reassured residents that Crafton intends to retain local first‑responder and public‑works services. Council asked staff to improve communications with school transport providers about permitted road work when feasible.","A resident urged better advance notice for road closures affecting school buses and asked about a social‑media item reporting Crafton had contacted Pittsburgh about outsourcing police, fire and public works; council and the mayor denied any plan to merge or contract those services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099491,"Sewer work moves forward in Crafton: CCTV contract awarded; Broadhead and C‑20 updates presented",793,5281000,6074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704&start=5281&end=6074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704/thumbnail_5281000.jpg","/articles/6099491/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Sewer-work-moves-forward-in-Crafton-CCTV-contract-awarded-Broadhead-and-C20-updates-presented","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099491-6eb96fff386cbf26531796a1d927f42e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163705&Signature=M~2NHGeHG6XHPXK0~SMLavEZl7VD4UGMVKp~Ina8ppwPfxz84RqC3ciKKguELLU2i-I20XtauATQ4VtnOd6qJHDthfkRuIsmq3YZbZLoiP8JZLOyv3ZKqHhoj6nG6~EVWhlX9zoNXvGWgCvYQTJPX9dXcBM0uI1hJYlS-vJcCM1rgVi8Na2OYfxuxwH-IYMlnKWACj71CiBsmDr~O5SsV6bdxpVF9Hwb9O5HkHG9BhBptSLMiR5yxGqeaobCMIju6JceAI0xdps~ZT1cUI0sqsMMmxWgZftCIWXIJ5O19v7J-89qOSoQak8Qo9aTFZfyRqseVmD2Dps4SS1vvv-Lkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crafton Borough’s engineering team reported progress on multiple sewer projects and council approved a contractor to televise portions of the sewer system.

Engineer Jim Keenan told council Gateway Engineers is finalizing bid documents for the Broadhead Sewer project and will mail required EPA MBE/DBE letters. The bid set currently excludes Pareen Street because the property owner has not shown willingness to sign an easement; the borough will seek a new appraisal and continue pursuing the easement. Keenan said the alternatives analysis for Munning Road has been completed and options will return to the infrastructure committee for further discussion.

On the C‑20 sewer separation project, initial work has begun, including photo and video documentation and ground‑penetrating radar. Keenan identified impacted streets for that project as Steuben Street from Westcraft into Duncan, Duncan Avenue from Maxwell to Steuben, and Linden Avenue from Maxwell to Steuben. A final completion date in the engineer’s update was listed as Nov. 12 of this year.

Council voted to award the borough’s 2025 sewer CCTV contract to Edge AI for $51,160. Keenan said the work will televise about 10% of Crafton’s sewers and that the recorded footage will be uploaded to the borough GIS database. The manager and the engineer noted the award is roughly $1,160 over the $50,000 budgeted amount; council approved the award by voice vote.

Keenan said bids closed for the 2025 sewer O&M repairs and for the 2025 CCTV contract; recommendation letters identified lowest responsible bidders for each. The council held the O&M repair motion to gather additional information before awarding contracts for those repair items.

Why it matters: televising sewer lines and moving forward with separation projects are steps to comply with consent‑decree timelines and to reduce stormwater inflow to Chartiers Creek and other waterways. Easement access and careful budgeting were flagged as follow‑up items.

What council asked staff to do: pursue the Pareen Street easement appraisal and update council when completed, return the Munning Road alternatives to the infrastructure committee for further evaluation, and provide additional information on O&M repair bids before awarding contracts.","Engineers updated council on Broadhead and C‑20 sewer projects and council approved a $51,160 CCTV contract to televise roughly 10% of the borough sewer system; bids for other sewer work were discussed and one O&M motion was held for more information.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099495,"Crafton council approves contracts and grants, appoints new member in April meeting",7559,63000,7622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704&start=63&end=7622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817159-0613a469e4235e0b451916f599176704/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6099495/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-council-approves-contracts-and-grants-appoints-new-member-in-April-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099495-e07a28acbefd69a9f5ae93bb204cf30f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163705&Signature=IGFBykBLwgNrUveQ4H6RkXkV3VVn-NSQIxM9cfF2dFapB7GiRajDWKS5xrHGZ9qK400u~1V13ayBhuj3K-11CytQ1joHwojXPjrClBNbo7okTo4HVHED5S9qsISojRg62orxmIfOVd2ZpLRZGXy3O2GgnNgOfyJgAm1jDXWppuBA4xbbIkzdRrJ~OR6185PX2hEMDmzO9BUudpkRRBw~UEMgQoUi9~2tkdohfEakPu3ET~8NgKIEMj~tVjJbtWwtZ8uj4D~XonZ2oSzRhMdkTL7NJRXIaNEER5FPVXDqDvxbnEP356UvDcEklbB6yQPxth04wHb2UuYHHkxZT8PuyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crafton Borough Council on April 8 approved several contracts and grant applications, confirmed seasonal hires for the borough pool and appointed Matt Choate to a council vacancy created earlier this year.

The meeting included votes to award a 2025 sewer CCTV contract, to accept a trail feasibility study proposal, to approve a three‑year lease for a new public works dump truck and to file a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant application for pool rehabilitation. Council also approved the borough’s seasonal pool hire list. Council filled a council vacancy by appointing Matt Choate to serve through Dec. 31, 2025; that appointment was decided by roll call and received four votes to two.

Why it matters: the actions advance planned infrastructure and recreation projects funded through bond funds, grants and routine operating budgets and keep several projects moving toward design, bidding or construction.

Key votes (at a glance)

- Sewer CCTV contract: Council awarded the 2025 CCTV contract to Edge AI in the amount of $51,160 as recommended by Gateway Engineers. The engineer called for the motion and Council approved the award by voice vote. The project is a televised inspection of roughly 10% of the borough’s sewer network and the amount is $1,160 over the $50,000 line item budget.

- Trail feasibility study: Council approved contracting GAI Consultants Inc. to perform a trail feasibility study for $78,000. The bond fund will supply the borough’s half of the cost ($39,000).

- Seasonal pool hires: Council approved the list of 2025 seasonal pool employees as recommended by the pool manager; the manager reported positions were filled and many returning staff accepted.

- Dump truck lease (Resolution 2025‑04): Council authorized a three‑year lease with Huntington Bank for a Ford F-550 dump truck and custom body in the amount of $127,835; the manager said the amount is about $15,000 below budget. The resolution passed on voice vote.

- DCNR grant application (Resolution 2025‑05): Council adopted a resolution requesting $225,000 from DCNR for Crafton Pool rehabilitation and improvements, including a new slide, pavilion, ADA lift and concession upgrades. The borough will provide matching funds and in‑kind public works labor; the manager said the total project estimate is about $450,000 and that use of borough labor reduces cash outlay but did not provide a final cash‑match figure at the meeting.

- Council appointment (Resolution 2025‑06): After a public interview process with two candidates, council voted by roll call to appoint Matt Choate to fill the seat vacated by Vince Rodilla. The roll call produced four votes for Choate and two for the other candidate, Justin Marks. Choate was sworn in at the meeting.

Other procedural items included routine consent agenda approval, monthly reports and scheduling for infrastructure and planning items.

Council decisions that required roll call or formal resolution are on the record; most other votes were taken by voice and recorded in the minutes as “motion passes.”","At its April 8 meeting Crafton Borough Council awarded a sewer CCTV contract, approved a trail feasibility study and seasonal hires, authorized a three‑year dump truck lease, filed a DCNR grant request for pool improvements and appointed Matt Choate to fill a council vacancy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves $78,000 trail feasibility study with GAI Consultants

Manager reports Crafton exploring membership in county land bank to address vacant properties

Residents press council over road closures and social‑media rumor about joining Pittsburgh services

Sewer work moves forward in Crafton: CCTV contract awarded; Broadhead and C‑20 updates presented

Crafton council approves contracts and grants, appoints new member in April meeting