[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6458956,"mediaKeyId","5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7","parentId",5798635,"title","Resident raises concerns about raccoons, skunks and burning plastic; city points to garbage lids and local burning ordinance","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",232000,"endMs",438000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7&start=232&end=438","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7/thumbnail_232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458956/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Resident-raises-concerns-about-raccoons-skunks-and-burning-plastic-city-points-to-garbage-lids-and-local-burning-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458956-c4fe1346d9ecff17ea4e1f7affdc02e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775966347&Signature=BtXDgMtJZwSx2XnlOJb7XGsvBJ1T-AsOQwAo55V4bVUrmPmJxB4A8wda18xbbs-xpR5rDh9WDfWxgWfDc3LdVvoD456TstUI5415RY3-a2pRsn-MR6PBQELGPIfDTaT6XAHxoEfDzHXVjyXsE8JL8Fy6w7UZRkM34oMoeOWIhjjl5j4xFqsVjT-AjA4fIGW-oAK393W4Wr-guoZYI3PWlOmJ5jjs4FOYTzWqjcYtXCqU~LimslawO5h3KCiLyDcFkPc9e-4ExSeWi6bt2UYFhIuP~FHfxmJlqm53h9qxeMmTVbn4k4r4IrGY096PaRyaKcqVqHY0zQX7J9f7C~sASA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Connellsville, PA","date","2025-09-19T17:12:10Z","article","Connellsville — During the public comment period on Sept. 16, a resident who identified himself as Charles Boyer told the city council that wildlife — including raccoons, skunks and feral cats — are damaging gardens and creating a nuisance on Hill Street and other neighborhoods, and that neighbors were burning plastic outdoors.

Boyer said he has seen raccoon families and that animals sometimes climb poles, and asked whether the city has animal‑control services for non‑domestic animals. The mayor and staff responded that the city's animal control arrangement covers dogs and cats through local kennels but that the municipality does not routinely trap wildlife such as raccoons. Staff recommended that residents eliminate food sources (secure garbage in lidded cans) to discourage animals from frequenting properties.

Boyer also reported someone burning plastic. City staff said burning plastic and household garbage is illegal and urged residents to call 911 or the police station to report illegal burns; the city has a local burning order in place since 2014 that provides officers the authority to issue citations for illegal burning. \"If you call 911 or call the station, we'd rather you call 911,\" a city representative said, noting dispatch availability and response time.

Staff advised that if animals appear diseased, residents should contact the Game Commission. Council and staff also said they are enforcing the city's ordinances on garbage storage and burning and encouraged residents to report violations so enforcement can follow.

Why it matters: Wildlife and illegal burning are quality‑of‑life and public‑safety concerns for neighborhoods. The council's responses clarify the limits of municipal animal control, direct residents to secure garbage to reduce attractants and note enforcement options for illegal burning.

What comes next: Staff asked residents to continue filing reports when illegal burning or potentially diseased animals are observed; enforcement actions such as citations may follow where violations are confirmed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 16, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Connellsville resident told council he is seeing raccoons, skunks and feral cats damaging property and described plastic burning; staff reminded residents that garbage must be in lidded cans and said the city enforces a 2014 burn ordinance and will refer suspected diseased animals to the Game Commission or 911.","taxTitle","Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania","taxId",76399,"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},6458960,"Votes at a glance: Connellsville council approves event permits, hires, audits and capital work",2741,698000,3439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7&start=698&end=3439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7/thumbnail_698000.jpg","/articles/6458960/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Connellsville-council-approves-event-permits-hires-audits-and-capital-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458960-6876c034459920b3e892a574450873fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775966347&Signature=PWtf88xHHgs6xKOFO4NLt6NMFm6TQHD9oxbwpe0mEQPqE1dGgNMj1SaISK1gq0rnw5MmjBOPQ7rzaEywI0Jbx2NyrWI9F~2PY39rYMRu~iA93czGQFPa9Bb-9OZSQaWoEY9diVcWX1FV01TGKuUIK26j-i2BwYrFPmvyvcAyePShoJZpFRpxZaYmkUbGxbd46TZjDa2cjzXce0OXwVtJjHL-Wcf89-zkNTnSrLCmVrifrgk4j-zXtEto5qi5Thk1NdaBQn3Ppltwh-wxKSUqh89By8Cf6om0VhVSL1DvJ3RhS0Zs8B8UCxl2v5JaRA68PhELzHLnzxm34BzN4~nXyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connellsville — The Connellsville City Council on Sept. 16 approved a slate of routine resolutions and motions, including park permits for Chamber events, temporary hires and personnel actions, a capital lights purchase, and actions to advertise audits and budget meetings. The motions and recorded votes are summarized below as they were read into the record.

• Christmas in the Park (Yacht Park) — Approved. Motion: grant the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce use of Yacht Park for the annual \"Christmas in the Park\" event on Nov. 22, 2025, including use of electricity and trash cans as requested. Recorded roll call showed affirmative votes from named council members; Mayor Lincoln voted yes.

• Christmas parade street closures (Dec. 6, 2025) — Approved. Motion: close South Pittsburgh Street (Green to West Crawford) and West Crawford Avenue (North Pittsburgh to Eighth Street) for the Chamber parade, pending police, fire and PennDOT review and approval. Recorded roll call in the transcript showed affirmative votes from multiple council members and the mayor.

• Accept minutes (August meeting) — Approved by recorded roll call.

• Waive four‑day resolution rule — Approved by recorded roll call to permit items submitted after the four‑day deadline to be read at the meeting.

• Hire Kayla Richter, part‑time tax clerk — Approved. Motion: hire Kayla Richter as a part‑time tax clerk in the Connellsville tax office starting 09/22/2025 at $10.40 per hour. Recorded roll call: affirmative votes recorded; motion passed.

• Accept resignation of Jacob Kavanaugh from the Diversity & Inclusion Board — Approved by recorded roll call.

• Approve banner for CAHS football booster club — Approved. Motion: allow a welcome/outcome country banner to be displayed on South Orchard Street through the 2025 football season; recorded roll call in favor.

• Public Works lights (Ronald Rolli quote) — Approved. Motion: accept a quote of $3,290.61 from Ronald Rolli for lights at the Public Works garage; funds from the Capital Improvement Fund. Recorded roll call showed affirmative votes from named council members and the mayor.

• Contract for Yacht Park concession stand — Approved. See separate article.

• Renew compost site sublease with Connellsville Township — Approved. Motion: renew sublease for use of the city compost site from 12/20/2025 through 12/20/2026.

• Municipal traffic‑signal maintenance agreement (PennDOT) — Approved. Motion to enter a municipal agreement in place of multiple individual agreements; council recorded its approval.

• Advertise and schedule budget meetings — Approved. Motion: advertise and schedule budget meetings in October and on 11/10/2025 at 5 p.m.; recorded roll call approval.

• Authorize city clerk to submit Highlands grant application for visitor center — Approved by recorded roll call.

• Advertise and accept proposals for annual audit (FY 2025–27) — Approved. Motion: solicit proposals until 4 p.m. on 10/21/2025; opening to occur at the Oct. 21 meeting.

• Approve 2024 audit (McCourt & Wolf) — Approved by recorded roll call.

Why it matters: The approvals cover event permitting, small capital expenditures and required administrative work such as audits and hiring. These motions affect city operations, park programming and near‑term capital spending.

Vote records: Votes were read into the record by the city clerk for each motion; the transcript records named yes votes for multiple council members and Mayor Greg Lincoln on the motions listed above. Where a specific roll call appears in the transcript, that roll‑call text was used to summarize the outcome.

What comes next: Staff will implement the approved items (permit coordination with police/fire/PennDOT, process concession stand occupancy, purchase and installation of lights from the capital fund, audit solicitation and budget meeting notices). Council asked staff to return with any follow‑up items as needed.","At its Sept. 16 meeting the Connellsville City Council approved multiple routine resolutions: park and parade permits for Chamber events, hiring and personnel actions, a lights purchase for Public Works, audit advertisement and acceptance of the 2024 audit, among other items. Vote records are listed as recorded in the meeting transcript.",{"_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},6458963,"Connellsville awards Yacht Park concession contract to Casey Piper; one council member abstains",2065,469000,2534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7&start=469&end=2534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7/thumbnail_469000.jpg","/articles/6458963/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Connellsville-awards-Yacht-Park-concession-contract-to-Casey-Piper-one-council-member-abstains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458963-f01cd6e685a7e4c3a6da346a57a0a878/orig.mp4?Expires=1775966347&Signature=XNd1nck5btuOde73GN5siqblgZlvCCcjZIQXCNmmyxJklhDdch2eJdzYtqaS63mr~dtIsoVVVlqDnlx-raxroaN5XuZHOUqE7iBDtbCenAbQj9Lb~idIvVlTWXfeYX8MLCOo57vGG0qHQmpa3nLF8hh7wA8xy~ben2zzDGY3L52LfIQpfSgZnspaJn3Zwn6WNQH8wnTkPpt3gsNFxTwscyiMQlLzmI31DqangD4Chu~8sfOD5SropaZMxD1JsdVqDWtk8cZZ1S9xuKML9hOziDP6j3h-xJrm9DgpLcUDTLVeFv2mEy8~NwzYwzh6fSgWicVhxikWqNinR2KJSzIg1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connellsville — The Connellsville City Council on Sept. 16 approved a short‑term contract giving Casey Piper use of the concession stand at Yacht Park for $150 per month from Sept. 16 through Nov. 23, 2025.

The council reviewed proposals for the concession stand earlier in the meeting. \"We would like to offer our premium services and goods, pastries, coffee, anything like that,\" said Beth Georgi, owner (with her husband) of Overall Coffee and Gelato, who attended to observe and asked to be considered for the contract. Georgi said her business is nearby and could staff the stand consistently.

Council members said the city preferred having the stand open to provide a presence at the park, particularly with increased bicycle tourism and a visitor center nearby. Councilwoman Tiberio said she would abstain from the vote because she wished the council had conducted interviews with candidates before awarding the contract. \"I'm gonna abstain on this one. I kinda wished we had done interviews,\" Tiberio said.

The clerk recorded the roll call after the motion: Councilman Manadas (recorded yes), Councilman Keede (yes) and Mayor Lincoln (yes); Councilwoman Tiberio abstained. The motion passed.

Council members discussed seasonal logistics: staff said the building is winterized in November, with water shut off, and the concession stand is typically reopened in the spring (the trail season generally begins around April 1). Council members said the contract term through late November covers the current season; future renewal or a new proposal for next year would be considered later.

Why it matters: The concession stand is a small revenue and visitor‑service point for Yacht Park. The short term allows the city to test an operator this season and consider whether to solicit proposals or renew the arrangement in winter.

What comes next: The awarded operator will occupy the stand through Nov. 23; staff will confirm winterization timing and bring any renewal or new‑proposal process to council for next season.","Council voted to award a short contract for the Yacht Park concession stand to Casey Piper for $150 per month through Nov. 23, 2025. Business owner Beth Georgi spoke in favor; Councilwoman Tiberio abstained, saying she preferred interviews before the award.",{"_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},6458965,"Connellsville police outline relaxed hiring rules and describe PUC-driven water service‑line inspections",400,912000,1312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7&start=912&end=1312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798635-b17ae65e9f1cce2a7ea078f5debff6a7/thumbnail_912000.jpg","/articles/6458965/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Connellsville-police-outline-relaxed-hiring-rules-and-describe-PUC-driven-water-serviceline-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458965-b198cebbe1eaec608a5451b2dd83db71/orig.mp4?Expires=1775966347&Signature=I2Lrdm0hbUHMhUCyjBdLSrT2-sqqReqViqlqj8vxI~XcrAxuLDYHiIb6ckYsw0nQNut1fjSX23W1X5mfdPsRzSTw3vQAZh42e729t6xwwGsnGLncwIgxRVOwbhQHGvImBR7xTsCqom4xYJEdC5xIKVRUB-vOZ0yauTsnJEP3r6BYF22cyFvGnIFSjONR7xY0S0C2y3lD24I~WQbxHIhsS5PuMeqv4zMVLKl7CRdGAhzIFivCO8uS0kOjrv6vXy5QbK8oHbffe28qbB7Qn2BEgxvOhM8N2sxb8D5aX4IGeaiRWJiP-SZv0SvjTv3eGtN2XWER1l7KLNfj6SFUFJo~Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connellsville — The Connellsville Police Department on Sept. 16 told the city council it will change its hiring process to expand the pool of applicants, offer signing bonuses and coordinate outreach about an upcoming Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) requirement that water utilities identify service‑line materials at customer residences.

The police chief said the department will no longer require applicants to already hold Act 120 certification to apply for entry‑level officer positions, allowing the city to recruit candidates who would complete academy training after hire. \"The idea is to get as many applicants as possible,\" the police chief said, adding that six people had already picked up applications.

The department also discussed offering a signing bonus tied to a written agreement requiring a minimum three‑year commitment from recipients and said the solicitor is drafting the required paperwork. \"With the signing bonus, they also would have to sign an agreement that they would be committed here for at least 3 years,\" the police chief said. The department said it will coordinate any agreement with the city's collective‑bargaining unit and civil‑service rules.

Council and staff discussed internal promotion testing as well. The department said a corporal position opened when an officer left and that three patrol officers are eligible to take a written exam and oral interview for promotion. The police chief said the written test and oral interview are scheduled for next month and confirmed the civil service board handles the appointment process.

Separately, the chief described work by Pennsylvania American Water to comply with a PUC order requiring identification of materials used in service lines that deliver water into homes. The chief said contractors working for the company will need access to basements or wherever the service line enters a residence to determine whether lines are lead, copper or plastic. He said the utility has until 2027 to complete the work and that residents may self‑identify their service line by submitting photos to the utility.

The chief said the utility's contractors will be identifiable — wearing hard hats, high‑visibility vests and company identification — and that the city will post notices on social media and encourage local media coverage when visits begin. \"They've done this before. They came through here and did meter changes,\" the chief said, adding that the city will use its social channels to publicize the schedule.

Council members asked about scheduling and how residents who are not home will be handled; the chief said crews will leave a card and arrange appointments if necessary. He also said the department will publicize instructions residents can follow to document their own service lines by photo.

Why it matters: relaxing the application requirements may speed recruitment in a department that described difficulty attracting candidates. The PUC‑mandated service‑line inventory could require residents to allow entry to private homes or to follow a self‑reporting process, and the city will be the conduit for notices and local questions.

What comes next: staff said they will produce draft signing‑bonus language for council review, coordinate any required collective‑bargaining or civil‑service approvals, and post information about the water company inspections ahead of crews' visits.","At its Sept. 16 meeting, the Connellsville Police Department told council it will allow applicants without prior Act 120 certification to apply, offer signing bonuses tied to a three‑year commitment and coordinate public outreach about Pennsylvania American Water's PUC‑mandated service‑line inspections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident raises concerns about raccoons, skunks and burning plastic; city points to garbage lids and local burning ordinance

Votes at a glance: Connellsville council approves event permits, hires, audits and capital work

Connellsville awards Yacht Park concession contract to Casey Piper; one council member abstains

Connellsville police outline relaxed hiring rules and describe PUC-driven water service‑line inspections