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White Oak Council Opens Meyer Spector Park Improvement Fund After $441,692.56 Bequest; Veterans Memorial Grant Sought
Summary
The council voted Sept. 15 to open a designated fund for a $441,692.56 bequest from the estate of Meyer Spector and authorized officials to open an interest‑bearing account. The borough also reported applying for county and state grants for a veterans memorial.
The Borough of White Oak Council voted Sept. 15 to open a designated account for a $441,692.56 bequest from the estate of Meyer Spector and to hold the funds in an interest‑bearing account at First Commonwealth Bank until the council decides how to allocate the money for parks and recreation projects.
Why it matters: The gift represents a significant, one‑time source of funding that the borough said will be used for parks and recreation improvements. Council authorized the council president and borough manager to execute documents to open the account and manage the fund.
Details of the gift and action During the finance report, Jason Russell, the borough treasurer, read the item and said the borough had received $441,692.56 from the Spector estate and that “this money is to be used for parks and recreation purposes and will be kept in an interest‑bearing account with First Commonwealth Bank until council decides ways to allocate this money in the future.” The council voted to open the account and to authorize officials to execute necessary documents; the motion passed on a voice vote recorded as “Aye.”
Veterans memorial and grant activity Parks and Recreation representative Lori (last name not specified in the transcript) announced a fundraising campaign for the borough’s veterans memorial, listing donation options for commemorative bricks and directing residents to the borough website for ordering details. Separately, the borough’s engineer reported that the borough applied for a GEDTF grant through Allegheny County requesting $150,000 with a $25,000 borough match for the veterans memorial project. The engineer also said the borough is pursuing the county CDBG program and the state Local Share Account; those grant application deadlines were noted as upcoming (applications due in October and Nov. 7, per the engineer’s report).
Distinguishing discussion and decisions - Discussion: Council thanked the late donor and discussed keeping the funds in an interest‑bearing account while considering project options. - Direction/assignment: The council authorized the opening of a named fund at First Commonwealth Bank and assigned the council president and borough manager to execute account documents. - Formal action: Motion to open the Meyer Spector Park Improvement Fund and authorize execution of documents was approved.
What’s next The council will consider how to allocate the funds in future meetings. Meanwhile staff are pursuing county and state grant opportunities for a veterans memorial and encouraging donations to the memorial brick fundraiser.
