(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

New Brighton borough manager Tom Albanese previewed a “full agenda” at the council’s February 16 meeting, and full it was–including the official ceremony for the council to be full once again.

The meeting began with a presentation by Ron Bogolea of Legacies Alive, who presented the council with an opportunity for the borough to show “storyboards” of fallen soldiers in designated areas, using a fiberglass base for the display. Albanese asked to continue discussions with Bogolea about the proposition following the presentation.

The council then voted unanimously to appoint Julie Martin of North Sixteenth Avenue to fill the Fifth Ward position on Council following the passing of council member Nick Campagna on January 21. Martin was sworn in by Mayor Tom Albanese and officially joined the New Brighton Council.

Coincidentally, the council then hired J. Martin & Associates as borough auditors for the calendar year of 2023 at a cost of $17,900 (the accounting firm was in no relation to the newest council member just sworn in minutes prior).

Much of the agenda focused on police and patrol measures, beginning with the hiring of Alexander Bitts as a full-time patrol officer in accordance with the Civil Service rules and regulations. The council then unanimously voted for a request to the Civil Services Commission to provide an eligibility list for school resource officer and patrol officer following the testing of candidates, along with testing for the positions of Sergeant and Corporal. Officer Keith Smith was reinstated to full Civil Service status following a successful one-year probation.

The 1995 Chevrolet G-30 van that was up for sale after being used by the New Brighton Public Works had its sale to Florida resident Dan Johnson approved by the council at an amount of $3,336. Youngblood Paving in Wampum was awarded a contract for the borough’s paving program this year, at an amount of $228,613.14. Of that total, $67,198.57 will be reimbursed by Pulaski Township for road work in the township.

Oak Hill Field will be the practice field for the New Brighton Little Lions following a unanimous vote by council, as was the closure of segments along 10th Street (from 3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue) and 11th Street (from 3rd to 5th) for a “Wine Walk” event to be held by the New Brighton Public Library on June 30.

The next New Brighton Council meeting is scheduled for March 16 at 7:00 PM.

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Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be conducting independent water sampling to closely monitor water contamination risks related to the East Palestine train derailment that took place on February 3, 2023. In addition, DEP is assisting concerned public water suppliers in evaluating their source water at the Beaver Falls Municipal Authority’s surface water intake on the Beaver River.

“My Administration is taking steps to independently verify the safety of Pennsylvanians’ water — and will continue to do so in the months to come,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “As we work to learn more about this incident and hold Norfolk Southern accountable, the Commonwealth will also lead the way so that Pennsylvanians are aware of and protected from any threats to their safety and resources that may arise. Our independent testing will ensure the data we are receiving is accurate and timely so we can partner effectively with local communities to provide the information Pennsylvanians need and deserve.”

“Keeping Pennsylvanians safe is our top priority,” said Rich Negrin, Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. “Leading our own independent testing now will give us a necessary baseline so that we can track any changes to Pennsylvanians’ water in the months ahead. We will continue to do our part to test the water to determine the impacts of this train derailment, and keep Pennsylvanians informed and safe.”

DEP will be taking independent samples from Norfolk Southern sampling sites for examination by the DEP Bureau of Laboratories. DEP will also be taking independent water samples in Pennsylvania within a 2-mile radius of the derailment site. Samples will be taken monthly to watch for any long-term impacts.

DEP’s Bureau of Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields has performed a basic evaluation of the groundwater flow and geology near the derailment site and believes that there is not likely to be any contamination of water wells in Pennsylvania. Residents with concerns about private well water should contact the DEP Southwest Regional Office at 412-442-4000 for more information about well testing.

A Beaver Falls Municipal Authority water treatment plant is located 11 miles from the train derailment site. The closest Community Public Water Supply is PA American Ellwood City, which is 10.5 miles from the site. DEP is also investigating a small public water supply that is located along the Little Beaver River that utilizes spring sources.

Pennsylvania continues to see no concerning air or water quality readings following this incident. Based on the air monitoring results at the time of the incident at the site as well as the perimeter air monitoring, DEP has not observed any contaminants of concern leaving a 2-mile area around the derailment site and entering into Pennsylvania. DEP is coordinating with Ohio EPA, Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), Federal EPA, and Norfolk Southern’s contractor, CTEH, to review sample information for surface waters.

Earlier this week Governor Josh Shapiro issued a letter to Norfolk Southern raising questions about the emergency response that was undertaken in the immediate aftermath of the derailment and vowing to hold the company accountable. The Shapiro Administration has also highlighted further information about air and water quality, which can be found here.

Visit here for more information about DEP’s sampling efforts and other details about the derailment. For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, please visit the website or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s Chief of Staff, Adam Jentleson, on Thursday released the following statement

“Last night, Senator John Fetterman checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to receive treatment for clinical depression. While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks.

“On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis.

“After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a parents rights rally Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence says he’ll challenge a subpoena by the special counsel overseeing investigations into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Pence says the subpoena to a vice president is unprecedented and unconstitutional. And he says he’s prepared to take the fight all the way to the Supreme Court. Pence is basing his challenge on constitutional grounds, namely the separation of power among the branches of government. The potential 2024 presidential candidate spoke Wednesday in Minneapolis as well as in Iowa, a key early-voting state on the presidential primary calendar.