The Slippery Rock Borough Council gathered at 306 E. Water St on Sept. 15 for a regularly-scheduled meeting. The agenda consisted of comments from outside reporting bodies.
Slippery Rock University was present to inform council members of the final enrollment numbers for this year.
“Today is what is known as freeze day, when we report our enrollment to the government,” an SRU representative stated. “We are on track to have the largest incoming first year class since 2010. We will also have an overall increase this year. So the university is doing very well.”
The council provided its congratulations to SRU, and thanked them for what they provide to the community.
Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department (SRVFD) did not send a representative, but did submit a written address.
“In the month of August, we had 117 phone calls. 26 were for medical, one structure fire, two fire alarms and nine service calls. 39 of the 117 were in the borough,” Councilman Denton Zeronas read.
SRVFD concluded by adding that as of their Sept. meeting, they had eight new members, and their breast cancer awareness month shirts are on sale.
Mayor Jondavid Longo presented his Borough police report.
“Busy month, over 40 traffic citations in Sep. and 21 criminal offenses just over 1700 miles patrolled,” he said.
Mayor Longo commented on the praise our borough received from other agencies and pointed out the miles drove.
“I’ve heard some really positive commentary from some of the other departments that operate in and around our space,” he said. “I think the message is clear that our guys are paying attention…But again, I want to draw your attention to the miles patrolled: a ton of miles. So, as we’re getting closer to the talk of a new cruiser, even more now than ever it is top priority for us I’d say.”
Council members than spoke on their respective committees.
Zeronas spoke on the plans to patch W. Water St. The council received a quote and plans to handle the operation in two phases, possibly spreading out funding over two years.
Mayor Longo of the safety committee brought up concerns regarding the downtown intersection by Sheetz. Longo explained that the light only provides roughly five seconds to make the left hand turn. Some drivers get caught in the light while some drivers attempt to beat, which Longo claims presents a safety hazard.
Longo included that he had a request to perform a traffic study but he feels that it may not provide much.
“It’s been notoriously unfortunate; the traffic studies seem to occur well after we asked. So typically, it’s in the lull where the traffic study will not show what it is you and I are dealing with,” the mayor said.
Longo also included comment on the current storm drain system in Slippery Rock. Noting that, despite consistent maintenance, the drains still were pooling.
Slippery Rock Park is also looking for workers including maintenance, swim instructors and for Play Safe. The borough is looking to hire a new maintenance worker.
The next borough meeting will be on Oct. 3.
