[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6604499,"mediaKeyId","2988590-2062a776589183725df30cba0c430c33","parentId",2988590,"title","Bethel Park Public Library seeks state subsidy increase, announces July art and music festival and other events","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",488000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988590-2062a776589183725df30cba0c430c33&start=488&end=488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988590-2062a776589183725df30cba0c430c33/thumbnail_488000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604499/Bethel-Park-City/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Bethel-Park-Public-Library-seeks-state-subsidy-increase-announces-July-art-and-music-festival-and-other-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604499-7c6aa4542b8fde429f236f601a2598a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186521&Signature=cSryQVZWe84gCqTkX29mEl8GiJSD-pf4B3izaySmoqXpFlUTKme~XFu7NLxh97HRZl5sMjRiDO3rjKLWkh8SrbMjimGeakAH1Ak5nlR9T5BGMAMK-RlBSuyzqIK4IhNBtx102rozclvCY902ib9fWyGFgSd8YnPXb1BarbF2sE69x4stDyiNynlOoN8sEoC7BBLOlHifdOviifadguFJ2vY72EOkZ3p5AiHp7dlYQcDno~EIZRv3s2DU-Eamux6~vp1G36FY5TPqPu85IMF4qwc3sL~vIulHj1hCkxBJge4k6Jhv6zUnhmxTEIpmBd8BuHcw2XKXSgLepAF7va0kow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bethel Park, PA","date","2025-04-15T00:39:18.763Z","article","Christine, director of the Bethel Park Public Library, briefed council on April 14 about recent library programming, upcoming events and a request for state funding.

She thanked the Friends of the Library for a recent designer-bag bingo that drew 230 attendees. The library is accepting applications for the July 26 Bethel Park Art and Music Festival (10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Park Avenue) and limited artist-market and information-booth slots are available; applications are posted on the library website and available at the front desk.

Christine also described a statewide advocacy ask: Pennsylvania libraries are collectively seeking a $6,200,000 increase in the public library subsidy in the state budget, which Christine said equals roughly a $1.55 increase per library cardholder. She asked residents to contact state Representative Natalie Mihalek and state Senator Devlin Robinson to urge support for the subsidy increase; she said phone calls are preferred but email and letters are also effective.

Separately, council members noted a recent popular library program—a lawn-care presentation on April 9 sponsored by Evee's True Value Hardware—that was broadcast on borough television and later posted to YouTube, with council members citing several hundred viewers for the broadcast.

No formal council action was taken on the library's subsidy request; the director asked residents to contact state legislators directly.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bethel Park Regular Council Meeting 4-14-25","oneSentenceSummary","Library director Christine updated council on recent and upcoming library events, reported attendance and asked residents to contact state legislators to support a proposed $6.2 million increase in Pennsylvania's public library subsidy.","taxTitle","Bethel Park City, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania","taxId",52410,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6604502,"Parents and youth-sports groups urge council to fix field lighting, closures and communication",644,2024000,2668000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988590-2062a776589183725df30cba0c430c33&start=2024&end=2668","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988590-2062a776589183725df30cba0c430c33/thumbnail_2024000.jpg","/articles/6604502/Bethel-Park-City/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Parents-and-youth-sports-groups-urge-council-to-fix-field-lighting-closures-and-communication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604502-03ca9ef533c95feaf01fd0070a482d00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186521&Signature=Lg5Do5WxfQmZ3vOR~mi8cMVePd0hpDLOws0osQlK8EOUyMpoo9ep9WtbcdTi1o2mG~OTn72hNd9GarPz~1Pjb0Tn8bGmvTfOt8e5EI~HxvrjZOYUenM8NH3ELeC1DmwAYxYtmVs4gRbrZeKJbyZhFTVRPj68aeveWifBL7f5ScTga5ZQf24qD~ri7kGFWD4qNuectsVSRNLqWRGi0472APg6PbA2w~UZkv2TqOvR9T0HZZiZ4KlB~te3KqMgiYhCE7wi6Bdg3EqR9qLqkZ7vXaze5fTx5q3BbHL4fEjb-nWdGsbYEZGszZyV3Du1Hupz-EPbPNAC4pmobCzRPFeW4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple representatives of Bethel Park youth sports organizations urged borough council on April 14 to address recurring field closures, persistent lighting outages and what they described as inconsistent or arbitrary decision-making by municipal public works staff.

Jen Jenkins, speaking on behalf of Bethel Park Baseball, said the organization serves “hundreds of players and families” and asked council for a collaborative meeting after repeated operational problems including inconsistent field closures, unreliable lighting and delays on maintenance—specifically “replacement of the lights at Simmons Park, which we've been waiting on since May of 2024.” Jenkins said the baseball board voted to deliver letters to each council member outlining problems and a proposed path forward.

John Lorenzi, who identified himself as vice president of Bethel Park Baseball, described repeated difficulties dealing with the public works director, saying explanations for staff decisions were sometimes withheld or “aggressive.” He told the council that families need help ensuring safe playing conditions and consistent communication.

Jay Craigline and other residents described a recent cancellation at Millennium Park when lights were not available for a 7 p.m. travel game on a mild evening; Craigline said nearby communities were playing that night while Bethel Park's game was canceled, forcing makeups and lost concession revenue. Ken Crowley and Tom Wise (vice president of Bethel Park Girls Softball Association) said lighting problems at Simmons Park and equipment-storage issues (sheds) also affect softball and asked for equitable facility access for girls and boys. Wise proposed allowing coaches to make game-time playability decisions for individual fields to avoid blanket closures; he said fields drain differently and often are playable when the borough has closed all fields.

Council discussion and staff response in the meeting record indicated an existing 2024 Field Coalition policy and a liaison role intended to coordinate leagues with public works; the president said staff would take the concerns raised “off” for follow-up. Council did not take a formal vote or adopt a new policy during the meeting.

The youth-sports representatives asked specifically for: a meeting between council and league boards, clear timelines for repairs and replacement (notably Simmons Park lighting and approved sheds), better field closure communications and equitable access and facility improvements for girls’ softball.","Representatives of Bethel Park Baseball and Bethel Park Girls Softball told council they face recurring field closures, broken lights and unclear decision-making by public works staff that have canceled games and reduced playing opportunities; they requested a meeting with council and better coordination.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6604505,"Bethel Park council approves software purchase, signal contract, union extension and other items in unanimous votes",180,3539000,3719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988590-2062a776589183725df30cba0c430c33&start=3539&end=3719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988590-2062a776589183725df30cba0c430c33/thumbnail_3539000.jpg","/articles/6604505/Bethel-Park-City/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Bethel-Park-council-approves-software-purchase-signal-contract-union-extension-and-other-items-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604505-96477a5e5f7ee428ead6aada4fa07cf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186521&Signature=c1t5gr6GkEayrVcRAlhUR0SNtrpWWN4ZQePxrDvZ2PGBg0rP~Y~yN9rkPGd0C2LbGxFy475hNuzVKkZIHg1TPKDIh3bynt~LlnThiGT4wh3uq7rkuqmxV4bAcE~bhI~biVWFTVN27RuXC8LEQmFxGlaXZLoLh7wvuDh17xzKBFK~nKZFHjdYRMSV1U65cxCuiDtTWyRdU1cl4GTSb2n8~VWQuW9CNmPmiP-rxC0JO8O1RhmG3pTRHupgtvyeDYCF~1hRZPX8KMfrZRp6nJo7TlIGHWXXGL81KNWgGamVcZOa2mTE3eD68oNd1EwqkFhkZHHnF96xmo~y127GnlB9~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bethel Park Borough Council on April 14 approved a consent agenda and multiple separate motions covering software replacement, traffic-signal upgrades, equipment purchases, a labor contract extension and other municipal contracts and appointments. All recorded votes on those items were 9-0 in favor.

The most significant line-item approvals included a $73,264 purchase of Municity 5 permitting software to replace the phasing-out GeoPlan system; a $198,985 award to Bruce Merrilees Electric Company for Library Road and Milford Drive signal upgrades under a previously awarded Green Light Go grant; a low-bid $11,097 tree-planting contract for Millennium Park to be reimbursed through a DCNR TreeVitalize grant; and a $2,888.46-per-month, 60-month printer-lease consolidation projected to save about $555.18 per month ($6,662.21 annually).

Council also approved an extension of the Teamsters Local No. 205 agreement for the period Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028. The council approved the purchase of 14 Yankee Hill Machine turbo KRB suppressors for the police department totaling $6,816.60 to be reimbursed by the Bethel Park Community Foundation. The meeting opened with a motion to reappoint multiple residents to municipal boards and commissions; that reappointment motion also passed 9-0.

Many of these items were grouped on the meeting agenda's consent list; the council moved and seconded approval of consent items A–K and then heard separate motions for the software, signal project, tree-planting, printer lease consolidation and labor agreement. The planning and zoning board's request for preliminary and final approval of the Presidential Plaza Subdivision No. 2 (last revised 03/12/2025) was also granted, subject to the applicant satisfactorily addressing Gateway Engineering and municipal planner comment letters dated in March 2025.

Votes at a glance
- Boards & commissions reappointments: motion moved by Mister Consomagno, second Mister Janicek. Outcome: approved 9-0.
- Consent agenda (items A–K including bills and payrolls, resolution R 4 14 25 A, disposition of records, DCNR community conservation partnerships resolution, police policies/training manuals, camera server purchases, Millennium Park lighting payment, 2024 contracts for storm sewer CCTV cleaning and repairs): motion moved by Mister Consomagno, second Mister Janicek. Outcome: approved 9-0.
- Municity 5 software replacement (permit and e-gov system): moved by Miss Flynn. Outcome: approved 9-0. Amount: $73,264; capital projects budget line 064165422025.
- Library Road & Milford Drive signal upgrade contract: moved by Miss Flynn, second Mister Janicek. Outcome: approved 9-0. Awarded to Bruce Merrilees Electric Company for $198,985; capital line item 064336502023. (Part of a Green Light Go grant.)
- Shade Tree Commission DCNR TreeVitalize planting at Millennium Park: moved by Miss Flynn, second Mister Jenkins. Outcome: approved 9-0. Low bid $11,097 (to be reimbursed by TreeVitalize grant); general fund Shade Tree Commission line 06416400.
- Printer lease consolidation (60 months, Precision Copier): moved by Miss Kamenicki. Outcome: approved 9-0. Monthly payment $2,888.46; projected annual savings $6,662.21.
- Teamsters Local No. 205 agreement extension (01/01/2026–12/31/2028): moved by Miss Kamenicki, second Mister Espinore. Outcome: approved 9-0.
- Police suppressors purchase (14 Yankee Hill Machine turbo KRB suppressors, General Manufacturing Company): moved by Mister Sensi, second Mister Janicek. Outcome: approved 9-0. Amount: $6,816.60; capital projects police equipment line 064103662501; to be reimbursed by the Community Foundation.
- Presidential Plaza, Subdivision No. 2 (Major Subdivision 2020557): moved by Mister Jenkins, second Mister Janicek. Outcome: preliminary and final plan approval granted 9-0, subject to addressing Gateway Engineering (03/06/2025) and municipal planner (03/04/2025) comment letters.

Council members present recorded unanimous yes votes on all motions. No formal negative votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded for these items during the meeting.

The approvals advance multiple capital improvements (software and traffic-signal upgrades), routine municipal contracts and one labor agreement; several projects will be reimbursed through grants or private reimbursement as noted.","At its April 14 meeting the Bethel Park Borough Council approved a consent agenda and a series of separate motions—including a software replacement, a traffic-signal contract, a Teamsters contract extension and tree-planting work—by 9-0 votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bethel Park Public Library seeks state subsidy increase, announces July art and music festival and other events

Parents and youth-sports groups urge council to fix field lighting, closures and communication

Bethel Park council approves software purchase, signal contract, union extension and other items in unanimous votes