Zoom Planning Commission Meeting Announcement

The Forest Hills Planning Commission will hold their September meeting online.

When:  September 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

Topic:  August 26, 2020 Forest Hills Planning Commission Meeting

Register in Advance for this Webinar:

https://babstcalland.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JYYsklUjSgKxsoUiPzqrpw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Thank You to everyone who participated in the survey and entered the drawing!  We appreciate your time and input.  The data collected will be used to help develop the baseline information for Forest Hills’ Climate Action Plan.

Congratulations to the survey drawing winners, Connie Amoroso and Shana Buccigrossi!

Here’s a link to the article that appeared in the ICMA (International City/County Management Association) awards program under Strategic Leadership and Governance:  ICMA Award Article

The International City Managers’ Association, as it was then called, held its initial meeting in 1914 at a time when only 32 local governments in the United States and Canada had adopted the council-manager plan. The meeting was held in Springfield, Ohio, at the invitation of O. E. Carr of Cadillac, Michigan, and H. M. Hardin of Amarillo, Texas. Mr. Hardin, who had recently been appointed to his first position of professional management, felt the need to share his experience and information with the small group of his fellow professionals.

ICMA, from its inception in 1914, has continued to serve a number of essential functions for professional local government management executives. In so doing, the association has improved the quality of local government in which its members serve. As the number of local governments adopting the council-manager form of government has grown, so has the ICMA membership, in terms of both numbers and professional knowledge and skills.

The ICMA awards program has an illustrious history. Initiated in 1968 “to recognize managers for significant innovations in municipal government management,” ICMA’s Management Innovation Awards were given to 10 recipients.

Today, ICMA’s Local Government Excellence Awards include five professional awards granted to individual members and five programmatic awards conferred on local governments in three population categories for their innovative programs or processes. This year ICMA recognizes five individuals and 13 local governments, from among more than 100 nominations, for their contributions to elevating the practice of local government leadership and management.

We have updated our billing process and are now using Diversified Technologies Corp for bill payments.  Just click on the “Electronic Bill Paying” link at the top of the page.  You can now also pay by phone by calling 844-324-5371

For a limited time only, the Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program will be accepting applications to acquire vacant properties for side yards to an owner-occupied primary residence or blighted structure remediation at a reduced cost to the applicant. Under the 2020 Side Yard and Blighted Structure Program, we will waive our standard parcel fee of $3,000 for applicants for a side yard to their primary residence and applicants proposing to demolish a blighted structure. We will reduce the fee to $1,400 for applicants proposing to rehabilitate a blighted structure. All applicants will also be responsible for the appraised value of the property, a good faith deposit, and closing costs. The application, which contains additional details about the Program guidelines, can be accessed at our website: www.alleghenycounty.us/VPRP. We are excited to announce that we will now be accepting electronic submissions to VPRP@AlleghenyCounty.us, as always, all required materials must be submitted at time of application.

This is the latest information on recycling.  You can get more details here:

Recycle Often Recycle Right
Recycling Rules
Most Common Recycle Contaminants

Questions and Answers

What plastics are recyclable? – Only plastics with a #1 or #2 are recyclable

Can all plastics # 1 and 2 whether they are bottles jars or containers be recycled?  – Yes

What about cans? – Steel, tin and aluminum cans can be recycled

Should the lids to any plastic bottles be included if they cannot be identified as #1 or #2? – All lids off the plastic 1 and 2 are recyclable

Must newspaper be tied in a bundle or placed loose in the recycling container? – Either way is OK

What about Junk mail, Catalogs, Phone books and Magazines? –  As long as there is no plastic wrap around these items they can be recycled 

Can I recycle cardboard? – Flattened cereal/snack boxes etc. and cardboard can be recycled

Is all glass material prohibited?  – Glass should treated as Trash and not placed with recycle material

What is prohibited? – Loose plastic bags, or package wrap, Broken/sharp glass, Ceramic materials, Cloth/clothing, Food/yard waste, Hazardous items, Shredded paper, Scrap metal, Nonrecyclable plastics, Liquids, Frozen food containers, paper plates, paper cups and napkins.  For a more complet list click here.

When in doubt – throw it out

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to federal and state emergency management restrictions and recommendations, notice is given that the Forest Hills Borough Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting to be held on Monday, August 10, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. by remote audio and video conference services (Zoom) with log-in and call-in information available to the public below.  The purpose of this meeting is to consider and hold a public hearing on an application filed by William J. Gorol requesting a variance from the fencing restrictions for corner lots of Section 27-1003 of Chapter 27 of the Forest Hills Borough Code of Ordinances, Zoning, as amended, in order to permit the construction of a fence on property located at 108 Forest Glen Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15221 in the Borough’s R-1 Residential Zoning District, currently designated Allegheny County Block/Lot No. 300-D-312.

At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Zoning Hearing Board may take action on the application.  The public is invited to attend and participate.  Copies of the application are available for inspection at the office of the Borough Manager, 4400 Greensburg, Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.  The link for attendees to register for the Zoom meeting is available here:

https://babstcalland.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TIJxd_k-QUivN8OV8l0yDg

Rabies vaccine baits are being distributed across Allegheny County during -July 30 – August 17, 2020, especially in parks. More information about the baits and project can be found here: www.achd.net/raccoon.  Dog Owners: Please make sure that your dog is on a leash!  Although these baits will not harm your dog, if they eat too many they can get an upset stomach and/or diarrhea. Please avoid contact with these baits.  Use a latex glove or plastic bag if the baits must be moved.  Check the announcement here.

If you have questions or concerns about the baits or vaccine, please call 1 (800) 722-6725.  If you have questions about the baiting process, please call (412) 350-4046.

Duquesne Light residential customers are currently experiencing a rash of “call spoofing” where scammers are fraudulently representing themselves as DLC employees. As part of the scam, telemarketers are manipulating their caller ID to make it appear as though they are calling from Duquesne Light’s authentic customer service line (412-393-7100). Read the complete details here:Duquesne Light Scammers

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to federal and state emergency management restrictions and recommendations, notice is given that all regularly scheduled and advertised meetings of the Council of the Borough of Forest Hills will be modified as follows until further notice. All Council Committee and Business meetings will take place as scheduled at 7:00 p.m. prevailing time. The meetings will remain open to the public but will no longer be conducted at the Forest Hills Borough Building, which is temporarily closed to the public.  Instead, the meetings will be conducted by remote audio and video conference services (Zoom).  Registration information for the audio and video conference registration will be posted on the website and also be posted on the front door of the Borough Building, 4400 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221.

If you have an issue that you would like council or the Mayor to address but cannot attend a meeting, please submit your concern or idea to council by calling the borough office at 412-351-7330 and speak to staff or leave a detailed message. All messages submitted will be presented to council for review either in committee or at a business meeting or both. You may also submit your concern or idea to council by completing the form found here.

The crisis also means that council’s meeting schedule may change and that an advertised meeting by council or one of its appointed boards may be cancelled. We will try to keep you updated on that via the website but you should also feel free to call the office at the above number. And please call the office if you have any questions.

As a proactive measure due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) crisis, the Forest Hills Borough office will close indefinitely to the public and non-essential personnel. The borough does this reluctantly but feels it is necessary to contribute to the self-distancing effort stressed by the CDC and state and local health department officials. The borough’s recreation lodges are also closed.

Staff will continue to work as long as they remain in good health and the borough encourages the public to continue to contact the office during business hours at 412-351-7330 with issues or questions that may arise. The borough continues to provide its usual full services including public safety services and the public works crew will continue its normal duties.

Permits and inspections have been curtailed in compliance with the Governor’s order.  Residents may call the Borough Office to get information however, with limited staff we will do our best to fulfill requests but implore your understanding that it may take time to to answer those requests. Citizens may continue to contact the police department for both emergency and non-emergency matters by calling 911.  At this time the borough council meeting remains scheduled for 7 PM on March 25^th.

A drop box is located at the main entrance to the borough building for payments by check or money order and the borough encourages citizens to continue to use it. Other documents for the borough may be placed there as well. An online payment option is also available through the website.

Forest Hills appreciates your understanding during this difficult time and reminds all to safely check on neighbors and friends.

Council approved an extension on the deadline to pay real estate taxes at 2% discount until 8/31/20. It also waived fees/penalties on late real estate tax payment if paid in full by 12/31/20. The resolution authorizing the extension is available here.

The Census Bureau is still in need of many people to staff their Field and some other positions. They will make job offers and delay training until it is safe and people return back to work. Please watch this video for additional details.

Keystone Tax Helpline: 1-866-539-1100
Online Inquires: https://KeystoneCollects.com/contactus/contactus
eFile: https://efile.KeystoneCollects.com

The following is a link to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) with the latest information on the Coronavirus.

Coronavirus Disease

If you feel ill and are concerned about your health the CDC has provided a tool to help you make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care. The following link will take you to “What To Do If You Are Sick”. Once there click the “Self-Checker” yellow box on the right of the screen. You will answer several questions which will help you to evaluate your situation.

What To Do If You Are Sick

The following is a link to the Allegheny County Health Department with the latest information on the Coronavirus.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

ATTENTION!

Mayor Frank Porco has declared a disaster emergency in Forest Hills.  Read the Public Service Announcement from Mayor Porco regarding  the Covid-19 Virus.  This Declaration of Emergency is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until the Declaration is terminated in writing by the Mayor of Forest Hills. The Declaration may be viewed at this link.

During this time of crisis many of our elderly neighbors are unable to leave their homes to shop for food or get their medications.  Please check on your elderly neighbors and see if they need help.

This link contains organizations and programs that deliver resources to those who contact them or enroll in their program.

The Allegheny County Area Agengy on Aging,  offers home support services such as shopping and light housekeeping.  Seniors (60 & older) should call  the DHS Senior Line at 412.350.5460 to register.

A local resource for referral is Eastern Area Adult Services which offers services to seniors.  Their contact information is:

Eastern Area Adult Services
Keystone Commons
607 Braddock Avenue
Turtle Creek, PA 15145

Website: https://eaas.net/

Phone: (412) 829-9250
Email: eaas@eaas.net

The Paycheck Protection Program opened Friday, April 3rd. Applications will be accepted by participating local banks. $347 billion is available nationally, but the expectation is that demand will exceed that amount, and this is a first come first served program. Complete detail including other Small Business Recovery Programs are available at this link.

This map link displays locations of free food resource distribution sites in the region if your family or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity.

This link contains organizations and programs that do not have a “pick up” location, but rather delivers resources to those who contact them or enroll in their program.

Rumors and misinformation can be destructive and can even cause harmful behaviors that increase personal and public health risks. The following links address rumors and any misinformation.

Link to FEMA  https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control

Link to Allegheny County  https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Health-Department/Resources/COVID-19/Rumor-Control.aspx

Please note that all Forest Hills Borough Parks are now CLOSED. The health, safety and welfare of our residents is our top priority. Forest Hills Borough has taken these steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Forest Hills Borough Council is monitoring this situation – we hope to reopen our parks as soon as possible.
In the meantime, please follow all governmental orders to stay at home and practice social distancing. If we all do our part and work together, we can all get back to some semblance of “normal” sooner than later.
The decision to close our parks was not an easy one, however residents can still get out and walk their dog and go for a walk or a run in our neighborhoods – just please practice appropriate social distancing.
Thanks in advance for your understanding and cooperation during these unprecedented times.
Be sure to check out my page on the Forest Hills Website for additional information and resources related to COVID-19.
Please call or email if you have any questions or concerns at 412-351-7330 ext. 240 or porco@foresthillspa.com

Pick up one of our Centennial mugs while supplies last!

Centennial Mugs are available at the borough office during business hours for only $10 (proceeds used to support the Centennial celebration).  You can purchase by check payable to Borough of Forest Hills or, with cash (exact amount) for the mug only.

Start your day off right! Sip from this great looking mug and support this once in a lifetime event. Get it while it’s hot!