DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
James R . Morrison Chief Administrator
When Jeremiah Murray arrived from Ireland in 1781 , little did he know that he would become the founder of a beloved community nestled in Pennsylvania . Yet , this husband to Ann Montgomery and their five children , would forge ahead and discover in 1820 what is now known as Murrysville . Jeremiah would establish a farm and grist mills in the town and go on to become a general store merchant , the town miller , and even its Justice of the Peace . Today , Murrysville is a rural residential community of 22,000 known for its outstanding public school district , Franklin Regional , and its country-like setting consisting of more than 1,400 acres of parkland and open space . More importantly this beautiful town is Murrysville : Your Home , Now and Always .
The following personnel changes were administered by the Chief
Administrator in 2016 :
• The hiring of Nate Ferree as a police officer in the Murrysville Police Department , due to a retirement .
• The hiring of Sarah Wood as an intern for special project assignments .
Other activities included :
• The Marcellus Shale Task Force completed its work and forwarded a draft Ordinance to Council , which was adopted as a “ pending ” Ordinance . During the first half of 2016 , Council held public education sessions that included : ➢ Review of Department of Environmental Protection regulations . ➢ Legal and land use issues . ➢ Environmental impacts . ➢ Best Management Practices .
• Public Hearings were held on December 14 , 2016 , for Draft Ordinance No . 930-15 , an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance Regulating Oil and Gas Drilling and Ordinance No . 955-16 , an Ordinance Amending the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance . Municipal Council will conduct a workshop to discuss the comments received at the Public Hearings , as the Municipality moves forward with possible enactment of the Ordinances .
• The Westmoreland Heritage Trail will become a reality in 2017 . The Municipality began developing the Roberts ’ Property trailhead across from Branthoover Cutoff . The bridges near Trafford Road will be upgraded and construction contracts for the trail from the Roberts ’ trailhead to Trafford Road will begin . The contract for the Roberts ’ property improvements will be let in March 2017 .
• A new public services sign was erected along Route 22 , near Cleveland Brothers . The sign will serve as a central communication hub that will include announcements pertaining to Murrysville events , public safety tips , weather
bulletins , and other notable activities and events throughout the community .
• Murrysville Council approved a five-year extension of the current contract with Keystone Collections to collect real estate and local taxes , except earned income taxes , for both the Municipality and Franklin Regional School District .
• A study is underway for the Murrysville Community Park Phase III . Recommendations will be presented to Council in Summer 2017 .
• A five-year trash and recycling contract was awarded to Republic Services for Murrysville and Export . New to the contract is the residential curbside collection of Electronic Waste and Household Hazardous Waste , at no extra charge to the residents .
• Acquisition of preemption equipment for emergency services vehicles , which enables the vehicles to remotely control traffic signals to obtain a green light in the direction of the responding vehicle and red for all other directions . This equipment minimizes the danger of crashes and provides for a safer response during emergency calls for service .
• The enhancements for the Route 22 lights continued to improve traffic flow , aided in speed limit control , and expedited the movement of traffic through Murrysville . Due to the success of this project , Murrysville ’ s program has been replicated by PennDOT in other communities .
• Rich Rupnik was appointed as a Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator for the Murrysville-Export Emergency Management Agency .
• Successfully negotiated a five-year contract between the Municipality of Murrysville and the union workers in the Public Works Department .
It ’ s a privilege to serve as the Chief Administrator and I look forward to serving the community in 2017 . urrysville MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE NEWS
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