Borough of Etna

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Tune to 1670 AM for the Etna Borough Emergency Alert Radio Station

"WE WILL ACT TODAY SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR COMMUNITY IS AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE THAT IS THRIVING AND ECONOMICALLY SOUND. WE ENVISION AN ETNA THAT IS KNOWN FOR A GOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM AND COOPERATIVE GOVERNMENT. OUR FUTURE INCLUDES A FOCUS ON SAFETY AND A RESPECTED, COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICE FORCE. WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF FLOOD CONTROL"

Etna is a small bustling community covering one square mile along the banks of the Allegheny River, and is bordered on three sides by Millvale, Shaler Township, and Sharpsburg. Centrally located, Etna is just 10 minutes (non-rush hour) from downtown Pittsburgh and close enough for easy access to the shopping centers in North Hills, Fox Chapel, and Monroeville, the cultural opportunities in Oakland and North Side, and the nine local Colleges and Universities.

Once a mill town, over the past twenty years, Etna has re-emerged as a residential community with a highly diversified business base. Within its borders are over 160 businesses ranging from good-sized industrial firms to smaller, family-owned retail and consumer outlets.

Etna has an approximate population of 3924 and is growing younger each year as more couples with small children move into the community. These young families have a refreshing vitality and a dedication to get involved and work to make Etna a great place to raise children. Their efforts have been fruitful, as evidenced by the many youth-oriented activities that abound throughout the year. There's baseball, softball, and deck hockey leagues open to both girls and boys and active scouting troops from Cubs and Brownies to Seniors and Explorers. These activities, coupled with Etna's pool, playground, and sporting complex on Pine Street afford positive, close-to-home leisure time fun, not just for children, but for the whole family.

On the following pages we have outlined all the areas of community life that would be of interest and importance to all who live and work in our town.

It is with a saddened heart, that we want to inform you, that some of our long-standing trees at the Clarence Fugh Memorial Park and Playground on Pine Street, must come down.  Unfortunately, they have been hit with “canker stain” (Ceratocystis fimbriate), a disease that both Sycamore and London Plane trees are very susceptible to.  We have been researching options to save the trees, but after a recent drone flyover of the trees, it is obvious that we must take some of those down.  Last year, during a wind-shear, one did fall and severely damage our deck hockey rink and another lost a limb that damaged a car in the municipal parking lot.  We removed one of the trees at that time.   This is when we began to investigate the health of the trees, and then how we could best address their health, hoping there was a way to save them, but that is not the case.  Our research shows they were more than likely planted sometime in the late 1940’s and they have been a wonderful resource for shade and beauty in our playground.    We will be removing those that need to come down sometime in the next two weeks, possibly even next week, during the morning hours when the facility is closed.  This has been a very difficult decision, but the safety of our children and families has to be our priority.  We are working with several non-profit tree organizations for guidance on establishing a tree replacement program.   All the trees that will be removed are either along Pine Street or parallel to the rear of the Municipal Building and Police Station.

Etna has adopted a Green Infrastructure Master Plan Demonstration Project. Click here to go to the Stormwater Management page to see the plan in its entirety.

Allegheny County Vacant Property Program

Etna Borough participates in the Allegheny County Vacant Property Program. Through this program, you can obtain either a vacant lot or a vacant structure that has at least three years of tax delinquency. Applicants must be current on taxes, water, sewage, and refuse bills on all properties owned in Allegheny County. They also must not have any code outstanding code violations or municipal liens on all properties owned in Allegheny County. Because at least 51 percent of Etna’s households are low to moderate income, the acquisition costs will be partially underwritten subject to funding availability. You can find the application with guidelines on the left hand side of the home page or under forms – miscellaneous.  Any questions, please call the Borough Office.

New Recycling Bins for Etna Residents!

As part of the new garbage contract with Waste Management, all residents will be receiving new larger 32 gallons recycle bins.  These will be dropped off starting December 12.  You have several options for your old bins.  You can either keep them for your personal use – not for use with weekly recycling though—or place them out for trash (after you receive your new bin) with a clear note on it “PLEASE DISPOSE OF RECYCLE BIN”.

Yes - We Can Recycle Cardboard!                    No – We Cannot Recycle Plastic Bags!

Waste Management will take cardboard in Etna Borough, but it has to be cut up (no bigger than the size of a pizza box) and placed inside the recycling bin.  They will not take cardboard that is not cut to size, or left outside of the bin. Waste Management will not recycle items placed in plastic bags! Please put all recycles loosely into your recycle bin.

Refer to the “Recycling – Common Contaminants” flier on the left for items that cannot be recycled. If these items are mixed in, all items in the bin will be thrown away!

Home Collection Program for Household Generated Special Materials
As part of the residential solid waste and recycling contract with Waste Management, you have a convenient opportunity to dispose of your household generated special materials- safely, easily and responsibly. The At Your Door Special CollectionSM program, a residential service offered by Waste Management, continues to provide year-round collections for you.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1.       To Participate, you must set up a collection appointment.


There are three ways to schedule a collection:
·         Go to www.WMAtYourDoor.com
·         Call 1-800-449-7587 (Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm Eastern Time)
·         Email AtYourDoor@WM.com

The Call Center Representatives will guide you through the steps toward a safe and successful collection. You will be asked sever-al questions, including your address and the type and amount of materials available for the pick up. You will be provided a convenient collection date and information about where to place the kit for collection. A kit will be sent to your home in plenty of time for you to gather and pack your materials.

2.       Preparing for collection

The collection kit includes an instruction sheet and other items to help pack and secure your household generated special materials. Please read the instruction sheet included in the kit.

3.       Material is collected

On the scheduled date, the customer service technician will collect materials directly from your home. They will sort and pack the materials for proper transportation, recycling and disposal. Participants will receive a postage-paid survey card to complete and mail back to help track the program.

4.       You have more material than will fit into the Kit?

Remember, this service is available year-round. Just schedule another collection! Small quantities may be combined with your neighbors. Call Center Representatives are available from Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET. Leave a message after hours, weekends and holidays. Email the Call Center: AtYourDoor@WM.com

Managing Household Hazardous Waste: The best method of managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is to prevent its generation in the first place. This involves selecting the least toxic item “to do the job” and buying only the minimum amounts necessary. Buying in large quantities is not a bargain if half of it has to be discarded. In the future, please consider buying environmentally friendly products.
Did You Know?
Latex paint is not a hazardous waste. It can often be donated to community groups and other organizations for re-use. Please consider this option before disposal.
Used motor oil is not hazardous, but may pollute our groundwater, waterways and soil if not properly managed. Many automotive station, auto parts and supply stores will accept used motor oil for recycling.
Automotive batteries may be exchanged at the place of purchase. Many battery retailers offer recycling even if you are not purchasing a new battery. In some cases, there may be a charge. Some scrap yards will also purchase lead acid batteries.
For more information on HHW, visit DEP at www.dep.pa.gov or at www.pa.gov

For a complete chart of the materials that Waste Management will collect by appointment please click here

 
 

Senior Citizen & Low-Income Tax Preparation Assistance

Undercliff Volunteer Fire Department– 700 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15223

February 5 – April 12, Mondays and Wednesdays ONLY, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In conjunction with local AARP Tax-Aide Program volunteers, and the Shaler North Hills Library, this service will assist senior citizens and low-income residents prepare their annual tax return.  The number of clients served on a given day is based upon how many volunteers are available, and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 9 a.m., and clients MUST sign in. For additional information, please call the Shaler North Hills Library at 412-486-0211 or visit www.shalerlibrary.org.

    Please bring the following information with you for tax preparation:

        • 2016 Tax Return                         • Dependent care provider documentation, (including EIN or SSN, amounts)

        • W-2 from each employer             • 1095-A if health insurance was purchased on their own

        • Social Security SSA-1099             • Railroad Retirement Statement RRB-1099

        • All other 1099 forms                   • Documentation supporting all deductions if itemizing

        • Unemployment 1099-G               • SSN cards identifying themselves and dependents

        • 1098-T Education Credits            • Copies of property taxes or rent paid (if qualified for PA-1000)

        • Copy of blank check (routing and account number) for direct deposit

The Library will receive copies of basic forms and instructions, and can assist in ordering or printing specific forms from tax sites online. One form is printed for free, additional copies and pages are 20 cents/page. In addition, you may call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 to order forms via mail.

 

Healthy Community Design Survey

Want to help encourage healthy community design in Pennsylvania? This quick (10 min) survey lets APA Pennsylvania’s Healthy Communities in PA task force know your healthy community design priorities to help identify resources for Pennsylvania’s communities. If you are involved with a program or project related to healthy community design, including it in this survey can help you advertise your program as a resource to other Pennsylvania communities. Let them know what you think at bit.ly/HealthyComPA! Find out more about the APA Pennsylvania’s Healthy Communities in PA task force at planningpa.org/advocacy/healthy-communities-in-pa.

 

Southwestern Pennsylvania Sustainable Community Essentials Certification

Etna Borough is proud to announce that it is among the first municipalities to become certified through the Southwestern Pennsylvania Sustainable Community Essentials Certification program. Etna is recognized at the Silver level of certification for meeting the program’s rigorous performance criteria which tracks 131 policies and practices that define a sustainable community. This Certification, developed by Sustainable Pittsburgh, is designed for municipalities that are working to save money, conserve resources and serve vibrant communities. In earning the Silver Certification, Etna is acknowledged for its progress in addressing such areas as community design and land use, energy efficiency, health and wellness, mitigating blight, intergovernmental cooperation, recycling and waste reduction, fiscal controls, and internal management and operations. Details regarding how we are addressing these areas can be found on the certification
program’s website: www.sustainablecommunityessentials.org

Etna has now been designated a Sustainable Pennsylvania Certified Silver Community.

 

Special Needs Registry

Allegheny County Emergency Management Agency launched the “Special Needs Registry” this past February. This Special Needs Registry allows residents with physical, mental health or intellectual disabilities to provide information to the Department of Emergency Services. This voluntary information may then be shared with those responding to a home for a police, fire or medical emergency. The Special Needs Registry is intended only for those who live independently and not in a residential needs facility such as a nursing home or group home. The Special Needs Registry can be found at the County’s website at www.alleghenycounty.us/specialneedsregistry Information provided through the Registry will be programmed to appear on the screen when an emergency call is made from the home. This will allow dispatchers to alert emergency responders that there may be a unique situation in the home involving a person with special needs.

 

Zoning Ordinance Rehab

In 2015, ZONING ORDINANCE, NO. 1361, was unanimously adopted by Etna Borough Council. This ordinance is the culmination of over two years work by the Borough, first with the adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan, Riverbend, in June of 2014 which included a major goal of a total rehab of our zoning laws. The ordinance may be found on our Forms page under the Information menu above. We thank the committee who participated in the long process and all of those residents who attended public hearings and meetings on both the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning ordinance and provided their input. We hope and believe this ordinance is one tool that will help us achieve other short and long term goals of our Comprehensive Plan. Through some additional grant funding, the Borough is currently working on Design Guidelines for the Central Business District.

 

Parking Permit Program

In May of 2017, Council adopted Ordinance No. 1370, which amended Ordinance 1364 of 2016. The new Ordinance removed the term "PILOT" from the Residential Parking District, and reduced the free parking time limit from 2 hours to 1 hour.

Residential Parking Permits are required for parking on Maplewood Street from Garrick Street to Locust Street, a portion of Pine Street (the side across from the playground and swimming pool - odd numbered side), a portion of Locust Street from the intersection of High Street to Maplewood Street on the even numbered side), Locust Street from Maplewood Street to Pine Street on the odd numbered side) and Garrick Street. In order to obtain a permit, a resident must provide verification of car ownership and/or specific written permission to operate a company vehicle, payment in full for the permit, proof of current vehicle registration, proof of current vehicle insurance, proof of valid driver’s license with the address located in one of the designated permit zones and proof of payment of all wage and property taxes.

All permit zones now have 1 hour free parking, and enforcement hours on Pine Street and Locust Street from the intersection with Maplewood to the Pine Street pedestrian bridge are from 5pm to 7am. All other areas in the zone will be enforced 24/7. There will be no enforcement on all Borough-designated holidays.

Visitor permits may be purchased if needed. Only one visitor permit may be purchased at a time and will be issued to eligible residents for his/her visitors. Each permit is good for seven uses in a thirty day period. Caregiver permits are available and will be issued for one year to eligible residents. The resident must show proof of residency and submit a statement of need for the Caregiver Permit. For company vehicles, only one company automobile per household shall be permitted but not in addition to the number of permits allowed per household. Households are limited to two parking permits per household, but if the household has a garage or off-street parking available, that household is eligible to obtain one permit only. On-street parking permits are non-transferrable and all permits are good for one year – from April 1 through March 31. Resident permits cost $20.00 annually, Visitor permits are $10.00 (for 7 uses) and Caregiver Permits are also $20.00 annually. Contractor passes will be provided at no charge, pending the approval of a completed an application. Other conditions (such as display, etc.) are in the full text of the ordinance.

The Borough would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents of these areas for their input and thoughtful considerations and deliberations during the numerous public meetings regarding this pilot parking program. This request was brought to council by a resident living in this neighborhood of the community, which has some very specific and particular parking challenges due to the summer time use of the municipal swimming pool and playground, the fall and winter use of the Etna Deck Hockey Rink at the playground, the fall ScareHouse event and the large employer located on Pine Street. This is a very active sector of our community. These activities are good for the community and we are grateful for them; but, they do pose additional parking problems for the residents in this area. Again, our thanks go out to the many residents who attended the public hearings on the issue and shared their thoughts on how to tackle this problem.

Parking Permit Application

 

Weatherization Assistance Program

ACTION-Housing operates the Weatherization Assistance Program for the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Washington, and Greene counties. The Weatherization Assistance Program is a federally-funded program that provides eligible homeowners and renters with free-of-charge weatherization services, which refers to the process of reducing the amount of air infiltration into and out of the home. This process should improve energy efficiency, reduce heating and electric bills, and make the home a more comfortable place to live. Click Here to find out more.

 
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