[{"_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",6063797,"mediaKeyId","3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94","parentId",3263392,"title","Crafton officials weigh Broadhead sewer separation, risk of losing ALCOSAN grant","audioSeconds",125,"startMs",338000,"endMs",463000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94&start=338&end=463","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94/thumbnail_338000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063797/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-officials-weigh-Broadhead-sewer-separation-risk-of-losing-ALCOSAN-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063797-20f60bfe5d964d53f8afd4b2be29215e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185893&Signature=Lt5FUZdcAvaHgwobWfU-gAI9fY4Jtf3vsb1YSHHjMfRGe9RaYmNeDj2mgVJyUmzLCXmGdJhqfOB~HzvaYzVlMp-SRKbX59TnNPCjqR5KGUOEOwpFeNgvj~D4mv~NN4k5iAti80PgQdC3lfCvuzhy5-ikBFTUYaXPf092HPdOngWVtSnuRUV0AJP61SyAmMfzKlzXyVNxXzIt3J~5rNUwNQiWM3XaFzWnYQ92mbuqzNgBiKgxjCDWIKGWcmWw4rw0AS8u2JwxxJlAtJ6LbjR~Q3m~-DhIbUuOmPklVWCMtKK5Dx7yEmIxfzGOb4nE-S0xbPdd-aqUBtRnE9Se0gDNbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Crafton Borough, PA","date","2025-05-09T13:30:38Z","article","At its May 8 meeting, Crafton Borough Council heard from Engineer Keenan about the Broadhead Sewer Project and a smaller Preen Street component that has been delayed by private property permissions. Keenan said bids for the Broadhead work are due June 3 and that the larger portion of the Broadhead project is proceeding while the Preen Street piece is being considered separately.

The matter matters because Keenan told council the Broadhead work needs to stay on schedule to meet obligations tied to an Environmental Protection Agency consent decree. Keenan said the Preen/Green Street portion was originally bundled with the larger Broadhead bid but now faces hold-ups because the borough does not yet have permission from a private property owner to use part of the needed right-of-way.

Keenan said “the total cost for this project is just over $400,000.” He told council the borough has grant funding available from ALCOSAN (Allegheny County Sanitary Authority) and that if the borough declines the work the grant money would be lost. Council was told the borough’s share — described in the meeting as about $120,000 — would be required to move the Preen Street piece forward; Keenan also referenced a roughly $282,850 ALCOSAN grant amount as the likely outside funding tied to that work.

Council discussed whether to proceed with Preen Street as part of the current Broadhead contract or to split it out and pursue it later. Keenan said the Broadhead RFP for the larger segment is already issued and that splitting the smaller piece would let the main project proceed on schedule while staff pursues property permissions and options for the Preen piece.

No formal motion to accept or reject the Preen Street portion was taken at the meeting. Council signaled it will continue the conversation in executive session on property and legal matters and then bring the item back to a public meeting for any required approvals.

The borough manager and Keenan emphasized the time-sensitive nature of external funding: Keenan said that if the borough decides not to proceed with the Preen Street work, “the grant money is gone.” Council members asked for additional detail about matching requirements and schedule impacts before making a final decision.

Staff said they will return with options for council consideration, including whether to accept the Preen Street work now (with the stated borough match) or to defer and risk losing the ALCOSAN grant. The issue remains under discussion; no binding vote or contract award occurred at the May 8 session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting - May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 8 meeting, Crafton Borough Council heard from Engineer Keenan about the Broadhead Sewer Project and a smaller Preen Street component that has been delayed by private property permissions.","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},6063775,"Crafton reports storm damage, says it will share county hazard-mitigation survey with residents",921,1188000,2109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94&start=1188&end=2109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94/thumbnail_1188000.jpg","/articles/6063775/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-reports-storm-damage-says-it-will-share-county-hazard-mitigation-survey-with-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063775-dc094d6fc4b1dc6d5666787ecad85093/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185893&Signature=O~IHq1JS2r3GUpeZ54E88wvAAUR1LV9cILNnfLHlfz13zcVxc3-XSwXpy~SMbwlhc36Daa4d~VbOz9UoDZtwIXsNo4QRx~7DLCjxtg-8XG9C8UYLk7X97bBjFWYDB2xVLRzjLpFaKeFcD-7z6Lng6d58U9x8DIYqGdfxajfichlIvWzTnUUopjxC4KnBLaVyDQ0~cakDiZFq6AE7P0ECTw0b-2QbZacltT1uGTo1UQPclPWw~OD-DQdGq0ofIwa35GE7jfzAZZa2JRxb~TAwcHc3XcPUe1SWM9Nk6oX8SEZrgFzB4Kdyu3Rq4bizXa5z7TXspJ8reDHt2YBI0ta9ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crafton Borough Manager told council on May 8 that severe thunderstorms with 80-plus mile-per-hour winds caused widespread outages and tree damage in parts of the borough. The manager said most power had been restored by late in the week but that a small number of homes remained without service for several days and some roads and locations continued to have hazards from downed trees.

The manager said the borough had engaged its public-works crew and first responders to address immediate hazards and had coordinated with the county and utility companies. The borough will not remove trees that are entangled with utility wires; those situations must be handled by the power company or their contractors for safety reasons.

Council also discussed the county’s ongoing hazard-mitigation plan update. Staff said Crafton is participating in the county-led plan (which covers all municipalities in the county) and that the borough will distribute the plan’s public survey to residents through Savvy Citizen and other channels. The survey will collect public input on local hazards, response capacity and resilience priorities. Staff said they would schedule follow-up meetings with the borough’s emergency-services chiefs to coordinate the borough’s responses and fill out required internal information for the county process.

Council said the Shade Tree Commission will need to address the widespread tree damage in upcoming meetings; staff said some century-old street trees had been affected. The borough manager asked residents to exercise caution around downed limbs and other hazards.","Borough manager described windstorm damage and localized power outages and said the borough is participating in a county hazard-mitigation plan update with a forthcoming public survey and stakeholder outreach.",{"_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},6063781,"Crafton property owner objects to new requirement for commercial structural drawings; council to research options",322,2915000,3237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94&start=2915&end=3237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6063781/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-property-owner-objects-to-new-requirement-for-commercial-structural-drawings-council-to-research-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063781-90c1f61b9cecb4fa5ff7fef7483e0c76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185893&Signature=DkuZqnFobkt8kH7xCTZ7hsOt299jCYv98ur8X2V226HNGQek~WwWEJ7veBjPfstu-zcsq-f6UeVYKHQwez4RbSU0fwt7JRpw6mW9cIKSgvVWlgJitD6vbWXp~QrCp8N-HfLj0663YbCgeDoaqrilEwt1PRWK3vyFHD6dh3J7nEgu85hxwQlZQGFmo5zvF1dNyNC6hErlHGWi4GirlYnrrl-XchzaCinKBRHddY7Y0q0ujJM1~YNZodSbOptjjt5dGEFOAe7MDD32mrMp9vYGgBOUtvhGZ~ulNtnQV0tytAegobKDhizsLFJDToqe7wXCmoegV7NVHL8voNpUA8MWXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment period on May 8, property owner Robert C. Wolbert Jr. said he had been asked to provide structural blueprints to obtain permits for the former American Legion building and asked council to waive the requirement or otherwise reduce the owner’s cost. Wolbert said producing the drawings would cost thousands of dollars and said the need for the plans was not flagged before he purchased the building.

Borough staff and council responded that the structural drawings requirement arises when a commercial building’s “use” changes or when multiple tenants are proposed. Staff explained that when the state Department of Labor and Industry stopped directly performing commercial building inspections in about 2007, municipalities became responsible for enforcing building code requirements and ensuring a set of plans is on file for commercial permits. Staff said the borough cannot issue a commercial building permit without the required drawings if the change of use triggers that requirement.

Staff offered several near-term steps: search borough records to see whether plans already exist for the building; determine whether a liability waiver is an available option; and explore whether a tax-abatement or other assistance is feasible to reduce the owner’s out-of-pocket cost. Councilmember(s) suggested adding the issue to a future agenda so staff can report back on whether the borough has any discretion to waive the requirement or to offer temporary financial relief. The borough also said it will rename its current “occupancy permit” paperwork to a clearer “sales inspection permit” so future buyers are more likely to see potential permit requirements earlier in a sale process.

No waiver was granted at the May 8 meeting. Staff will follow up with the owner and return to council with the results of a records search and options for council consideration.","A Crafton property owner asked council to waive a borough requirement for structural blueprints for the American Legion building; borough staff said the request is triggered by a change in use and state inspection rules and staff will check for existing plans, liability-waiver options and possible tax-abatement help.",{"_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},6063787,"Crafton manager proposes small cut to rental inspection fee, asks for landlord feedback",260,1495000,1755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94&start=1495&end=1755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94/thumbnail_1495000.jpg","/articles/6063787/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-manager-proposes-small-cut-to-rental-inspection-fee-asks-for-landlord-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063787-83d04cbbaf84bac23e95bda2a5ebc9dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185893&Signature=nfxYbXjXiD5sahUWRrasVgMsa3xy5-iFEioc-ak5kRvkomChPX73WEIXfqc4ZprsHMsBhIQbvKqgJvEVDc0rUbMIJwLJxCmMrw11bLbrI-cJOuoNPMUlUk5R3h3tNHBT4-cBmWHktfxb8Q5Y7zAR9U2OnCkGLN2DHyfbxuiv3CIFznXWA9K67x-dqKUmpKOAin42CTaz~K0SxbfwQtabn-xrg9jVNLj-6Q96MA4WmkGLMgblkwEKi72K3Udpdo5CTgMGhHQ4Fo81Oy9AuQ90vgB89lJTSxtH0ky6qesaFCu2WgZcAYyKKHKp8TM7q5ylbUIhDI~QbmOaNwfNCXZ6ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 8 Crafton Borough Council meeting the borough manager reviewed the rental inspection ordinance’s fee schedule and recommended trimming the inspection fee slightly. The manager said the borough’s analysis shows the inspection cost could be reduced from $60 to $55 and still reflect staff time and operating costs.

Under the proposal presented to council: the initial rental inspection would cost $55; follow-up inspections after the first re-inspection are free; a third inspection (if required because prior corrections were not completed) would carry a $50 charge; bulk inspections for buildings with five or more units would be priced at $45 per unit; landlord registration would remain free but the manager recommended a late fee if registration occurs more than 30 days late; and an annual business license would remain $10.

Staff said the change is not intended to generate revenue but to align fees with staff time. The manager said the borough compared its schedule with other municipalities and generally found Crafton’s fees to be at or below regional peers. Council agreed to solicit feedback from landlords and interested residents before adopting a fee resolution and requested the manager bring a draft fee resolution to the next council meeting.

No formal fee resolution was adopted May 8; council’s direction was to hold a public conversation and then bring a resolution forward for a vote at a future meeting.","Borough staff recommended reducing the rental-inspection fee from $60 to $55 and described follow-up, bulk and third-inspection fees; council asked for public and landlord input before a fee resolution is sent to the next meeting.",{"_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},6063792,"Crafton council briefed on multiple grants: Public Works building bid timing, $325,000 DCED downtown award and limits on LSA funds",95,777000,872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94&start=777&end=872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3263392-c2ee272196e19612d12f3f6d84d17a94/thumbnail_777000.jpg","/articles/6063792/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-council-briefed-on-multiple-grants-Public-Works-building-bid-timing-325000-DCED-downtown-award-and-limits-on-LSA-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063792-9ddbd78af22a8ccdd40f51b9882ce142/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185893&Signature=Q4UZMOU-PkrjXguSYJO39pnw0IiERkUaZzEnHV6ylBKuVFrUkCPvm0Ze2Ao3PXFuWOHAf9~Gw2nyn0HGnR~nb8tbxy8YYec5jrQ-st~DlMZlRPCNw2dwifVFuh0cKU7vgNhCUYIaYpdM0qhkArZ-6oFuVAVgCIQnxIUQuMLp2bew-RlafaB2dF2GUe2Qc6rpN2UuQR26IpMhFXkb4-8ahisySq5guxB7T1pMM4yVRJlIJXRQhyyQ0YuKZ~ago~-tEIC9EAy82OEuQXz4QMlZuyTsqYteUHqTfUt85G~LjtNe8VjjRZAGbnBAAKTidRS1lDXe3bGbSpW3NOP~lFUp0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 8 meeting Crafton officials updated council on several capital projects and related grants. Borough staff said bids for the new Public Works building will open May 15 and that, to meet a June 30 reimbursement deadline tied to a $200,000 grant, council may need to accept the lowest responsible bidder at the first post-bid meeting.

Separately, the borough reported a $325,000 award from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to support downtown pedestrian and business-district improvements. Staff said the money is available and they will take time to develop specific projects; the funds do not require immediate action but will be scheduled into future work.

Staff also reported that an LSA (Local Share Account) grant of roughly $120,000 for Crafton Boulevard streetscaping cannot be moved or re-scoped. That restriction reduces the borough’s flexibility to combine funding sources for a single streetscape package.

Council also discussed a renewed application for congressional community project funding through Representative Mike DeLuzio’s office for Crafton Boulevard streetscaping and a School Plaza enhancement; staff said the borough resubmitted last year’s request on a tight turnaround for the FY2026 cycle. Manager’s office said last year no community project funds were approved by Congress, and Crafton’s application will be considered in the next cycle.

Borough staff noted they plan to pursue a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) / U.S. DOT–related grant again with neighboring boroughs, after missing funding last cycle due to limited federal dollars. Council members said they expect more public discussion of scope and priorities before any final commitments.

No final contract awards were made May 8. Staff asked council to be prepared to act quickly on the Public Works building bid if responses are reasonable so the borough can invoice by June 30 and secure reimbursement. Council asked staff to return with finalized bid information and any necessary agenda items for an upcoming meeting.","Council heard updates on a Public Works building bid timeline that may require accepting a lowest responsible bidder to meet a $200,000 reimbursement deadline, a $325,000 DCED award for downtown improvements, and confirmation that a $120,000 LSA grant cannot be repurposed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Crafton officials weigh Broadhead sewer separation, risk of losing ALCOSAN grant

Crafton reports storm damage, says it will share county hazard-mitigation survey with residents

Crafton property owner objects to new requirement for commercial structural drawings; council to research options

Crafton manager proposes small cut to rental inspection fee, asks for landlord feedback

Crafton council briefed on multiple grants: Public Works building bid timing, $325,000 DCED downtown award and limits on LSA funds