Sewickley Herald

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SERVING THE ELEVEN BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS OF THE QUAKER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Vol. 71, No. 46
Second Class Postage Paid At Sewickley, Pa.
Wednesday. November 18, 1970
Fif^n Cents
$75,000 Fire HeavUy Damages Osbome School
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HEAVILY DAMAGED, BY FIRE, portions of the roof of the Osborne building collapsed into the classrooms. (Photo by Harvey Beer)
Police Contract Ok With Leetsdale
A new two-year contract with the policie department was accepted by Leetsdale Borough Council at their regular meeting on November 11. -	'	,
The contract was presented to Council by Police Committee Chairman Michael Melnyk. According to Melnyk) the terms of the contract will not be released until the policemen have made their acceptance.
The new contract was negotiated without binding arbitration. The machinery had been set for arbitration, but 'Councilman William Poninsky suggested that the Council and police representatives try once more to settle the contract. Arbitration would have cost approximately $400 to $500. •	•
William Poninsky, Property committee chairman, is concerned with the misconception of the recently completed Honor Roll. He is getting many phone calls and letters with information that is not necessary to add names to the roll. He also feels many people are mistaken bn who is eligible for the list. He would like names of serviceman submitted who were residents of Leetsdale when they enlisted in the service. The names will probably be added in the fall or spring. Street Committee chairman Michael Bajsec informed Council that the salt storage pad was complete and the first shipment of salt had been delivered. He also reported that the street sweeping schedule would be continued for at least another month. This will permit the borough time to clear the leaves along the streets.
Councilman John Cigan, chairman of the Finance Committee, has scheduled a budget meeting for Friday evening, •November 20. He requested that all committee chairmen submit their budget items by November 18.
Cigari also reported that in a recent meeting with Michael Fecko, Leetsdale
insurance representative, that the borough insurance program will change slightly by having use-only coverage on the street sweeper and the pay loader. The basic insurance program will remain the same.
Zoning Committee Chairman Joe Palmer reported to Council that he sommittee has studied the many recommendations made at the public hearing on the new zoning ordance.
Several adjustments have been made in the proposal. He added that the new ordinance will soon be ready for- Council action.
Council approved the appointment of Theodore Schneider to fill the unexpired term of A.M. Martinson, on the Edgeworth Water Authority. Mr. Schneinder, a lifelong resident of Leetsdale is a retired engineer.
Bulletin
Police OK Two Year Pact
On November 12, the Leetsdale Police Department agreed to a two year agreement accepted by the Borough Council'at the November 11 meeting.
The contract calls for pay increases, service increment benefits, additional life insurance, an expanded medical plan and additional paid holidays.
The pay scale for the chief increases his salary to $787 per month for 1971 and to $880 per month for 1972. The patrolmen will receive $708.50 in 1971 and $791.50 in 1972. The present pay scale is $700 per month for the chief and $630 per month for the patrolmen. *
Service increment benefits show no benefits for 0-5 years service for 1971 or 1972; 6-10 years, $10 per month in 19l71 and $15 per month in 1972; 11-15 years, $20 per month in 1971 and $30 per month in 1972; ’ 16-20 years, $30 per month in 1971 and $45 per month in 1972 ; 21-25 years, $40 per month in 1971 and $60 per mdhth in 1972; 26-30 years, $50 per month in 1971 and $75 per month in 1972; 31 to 35 years, $60 per month in 1971 and $90 per month in 1972; 36th year to retirement, $70 per month in 1971 and $105 per month in 1972. The service benefits will be payable in a lump sum
on December 1 of each year
As of January 1, 1971 the $10,000 life insurance policy will be increased to $15,000 and be payable from the Police Pension Fund.
The policemen now carry Blue Cross and . Blue Shield at the Borough expense. The new contract calls for the Borough to convert this police to the Blue Cross-Blue Shield 100 plan for additional benefit.
Under the new agreement, the current pven paid holidays will be expanded to 9 in 1971 and 10 in 1972. This will also be paid in a lump sum as of December 15 each year.
The vacation schedule will be the same for the life of the contract. The chief will receive two weeks for 1 to 2 years service, 3 weeks for 3 to 9,4 weeks for 10 to 19 and 5 weeks for 20 or more years service. The patrolmen will receive 1 week for I to 2 years, 2 weeks for 3 to 9,3 weeks for 10 to 19 and 4 weeks for 20 or more.
The contract also Calls for the officers being paid a minimum of two hours overtime for extra duty or for local judiciary actions >vhen not scheduled for duty.
Fire has caused extensive damage to the oldest elementary school building in the Quaker Valley School District. The Osborne Elementary School, built in 1890, was damaged in a late evening fire on Friday, November 13.
The fire was reported at 10:50 p.m. by Mrs. James McLellan of Glen Mitchell Road. She was walking her dog and noticed a flickering light in the front classroom of the building. Osborne Police Chief, Wade Baltz, reported driving past the building during his rounds of the community about 10:20 p.m. and did not notice anything. Baltz, also Sewickley Fire Chief, feels that the fire had been smoldering for a while but was not noticed due to the heavy fog and’ rain that evening.
Chief Baltz and a deputy fire marshall from Allegheny County located the cause in the front classroom on Saturday. Apparently a light fixture arched across to the BX cable and ignited the timbers. According to the chief, a roof joist must have fallen and broken a window causing a c.himney-effect that carried the fire through the roof. Ther-^ were no fire stops in the roof. He added that a double brick firev/all stopped the flames from spreading io the back rooms that were added.
A rough estimate of the cost has been made by Chief Baltz at $75,0Q0 to replace the roof and repair the classroom damage.
The school district has made arrangements for the three classes to'meet in the Sewickley Elementary building. Many of the furnishings and text, books were rescued from the building the following day.
An interesting note, during the- September School Board meeting, it was reported that this building was of combustible construction with heating, ventilating, plumbing and electrical deficiencies. It was also noted that some phases of the building construction did not conform to the Department of Labor and Industry Codes.
Robbery Suspects In New York Jail
Two men who help up an attendant of the Hovis Service Station on November 4, have been captured by police in Niagara, New York.
The two men being held are James Anderjack and Regis Thornton, both of Pittsburgh.
According to Sewickley Police Chief Lei S. Jones, the men admitted staging a holdup in Venango County and two other service station holdups' in Pennsylvania.
Chief Jones has issued warrants and has filed detainers with the warden of the Niagara County jail for these men. He also stated that they will be returned to iPenn-sylvania to stand trial for the hold-ups.
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PONATIONS
Adults .. $1.25 Children .. 75c
All the Pancakes You cdh Eat!
SEWICKLEY KIWANIS PANCAKE DAY
At Sewickley Urited Methodist C huech — Broad and Thorn St.
Saturday, Nov. 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Menu JUICE* SAUSAGE,
pancakes and
SYRUP COFFEE, TEA ORMILK