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Clifton Heights details $41,000 storm response; council to consider emergency-declaration resolution
Summary
Borough manager told council crews and contractors cleared streets and sidewalks after the recent storm at an estimated cost of $41,000; a formal emergency declaration and emergency expenditures will be on a future agenda for council approval.
Clifton Heights Borough officials described the borough’s multi‑stage snow response and said a formal emergency declaration and related expenditures will be placed on a future council agenda for approval.
Manager (Speaker 3) summarized the immediate operational response, saying the borough brought in “two extra loads of salt” and contracted local firms — naming Antonio Construction, Giant Amico and Kurtz — to augment borough crews during peak storm hours. He told council, “The total cost is $41,000 to clear everything out.” The manager said crews prioritized opening corners and sidewalks near schools to accommodate altered bus routes and keep routes passable for emergency vehicles.
Solicitor (Speaker 7) explained the legal basis for the borough’s procurement actions under the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Code, noting that a mayoral declaration “activates the emergency plan for the borough” and allows the borough to procure snow‑removal services without the usual formal bidding while the declaration is in effect. He said the declaration “will last until the regular council meeting” unless council extends it, and cautioned that reimbursement from state emergency funds is not guaranteed.
Why it matters: the borough used outside contractors and increased manpower to maintain emergency access during the storm; council will be asked to ratify the emergency declaration and consider emergency expenditures at an upcoming meeting, which could finalize responsibility for the $41,000 expense and any procurement irregularities.
Council members thanked public works, police and fire personnel for their response. The manager said the borough purchased extra salt and coordinated crews to clear school sidewalks and key intersections so buses and emergency vehicles could operate. The manager also said staff will present documentation of storm‑related invoices for county and state reimbursement reviews, but that “sometimes you get it, sometimes you don’t,” a caution the solicitor repeated about state reimbursement.
Next steps: the emergency declaration and emergency expenditures will appear on the next regular meeting agenda for council action; the manager said staff will compile bills and documentation for county and state review.
