The Parks Township Board of Supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on March 16, 2026,  at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, 26 Jackson Street, North Vandergrift.

 MEMBERS PRESENT:  Gregory Artman, Chairman                                   John Kuruc, Member    

 Mary Ralston, Vice Chairman                                Jeanna Cerra, Secretary - Treasurer 

VISITORS:                          Lauren Clark, Jeff Retter, Vicki Brestensky, Bob Brestensky, Brian Couslin, Dan Gwinn, Rich Simpson, Jamie Szitas, Brian Szitas, Gene Bell

 OTHERS PRESENT:      

 Mr. Artman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Copies of the Agenda and Minutes were given to all attendees and were posted along with the Treasurer’s Report and Bill Payment List on the bulletin board for review.   Public comments will be taken at the end of the meeting. 

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to adopt the Minutes from the March 16, 2026, Regular meeting, Kuruc seconded it and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.                  

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report for March 2026 Mr. Kuruc seconded it, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.  Receipts for March 2026 were $82,529.06    and expenses were $ 41,930.20    leaving a total balance of $ 486,968.24 (General Fund –$356,312.35; Capital Fund – $282,167.86; State Fund - $125,435.71; Street Light Fund –$5220.18)

 Mr. Kuruc made a motion to approve the Bill Payment List for February 6-March 12,2026, Mrs. Ralston                          seconded it, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.    Each Supervisor stipulated that his vote did not include anything pertaining to himself or any member of his family.

 CORRESPONDENCE

2026 Turnback Payment is $10,880.00 and Liquid Fuels payment is $114,067.42.

PennDOT sent a letter about traffic counters on township roads.

PennDOT performed a speed study on River Road, which concluded that a reduction to the existing speed limit is not warranted at this time.

Cook Vascular sent a notice of intent to remediate.

PTMA sent the Annual 2025 report and 2026 Budget.  

 STAFF REPORTS

Police Report – February 1-28, 2026.  Mrs. Ralston made a motion to update Informant; Mr. Kuruc seconded it and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

 Maintenance Crew- Mr. Kuruc made a motion to accept Joe Gigliotti’s resignation; Mr. Artman seconded it and Mrs. Ralston made it unanimous. The crew has been cold patching. A new pipe needs to be replaced in North Vandegrift and on Locust. West Penn Avenue needs attention. Hickory Road needs to be finished by July for the grant.

 TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES-

Parks Committee No committee, A tree fell on the pavilion roof on Kepple Hill, the boarder needs replaced in Kiskimere a garbage can needs to be replaced at the basketball court on Kepple Hill, the sign needs replaced at the Vets Memorial and a new flag and the fence needs repaired. North Vandergrift needs the net repaired. All three parks need mulch.

Planning Commission- Working on ordinances and AG Security’s 7-year review.

OLD BUSINESS

The township received 3 proposals for the police pension plan; First Commonwealth Advisors, RJ Hall and CBiz.. Mrs. Ralston said she is not happy with FC Advisors, they are who we have been with, and their fee is the most expensive. The board asked the secretary to set up a meeting with RJHall and CBiz to talk further.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to sign the papers for the consultant selection, Mr. Kuruc seconded it and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

The upcoming road projects for 2026 were discussed, Laurel, Locust, Maple, Piper and Willow.

Mr. Kuruc made a motion to finance the new Mower for $255,567.70, Mr. Artman seconded it and Mrs. Ralston made it unanimous.

NEW BUSINESS

The ACATO convention registration was tabled until next month’s meeting.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to advertise the Outdoor Burner Ordinance, Mr. Kuruc seconded it and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

Mr. Kuruc made a motion to advertise the debris on the roadways Ordinance, Mrs. Ralston seconded it and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

Mrs. Ralston made a motion to join the RACA Land Bank for $500 to take care of the blighted properties in the township, Mr. Artman seconded it and Mr. Kuruc made it unanimous.

Mr. Kuruc made a motion to hire summer help, Mrs. Ralston seconded it and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

Mrs. Ralston inspected the barn demolition at Myers and made a motion to return the fire escrow of $                    Mr. Kuruc seconded it Mr. Artman made it unanimous.

The board discussed the agreement PennDOT presented for the maintenance of Stitts Run and Jefferson Street, this was tabled until next meeting once figures were received.

An executive session was held to discuss personnel matters.

 PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Gwinn asked about clean-up day.

Mrs. Szitas asked about speed limit signs on River Road.

Mr. Retter said the cold patching that was done on Locust was great.

Mr. Couslin wanted to know why the police car was blacked out.

Mrs. Bretensky asked if the township has a tax on skill games.

ADJOURNMENT

 The next Regular Monthly Meeting will be held April 20, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Community Building, North Vandergrift.

There being no further questions or comments, Mrs. Ralston moved to adjourn at 8:02 pm; Mr. Kuruc seconded it, and Mr. Artman made it unanimous.   

 Respectfully Submitted,

 Jeanna Cerra

Secretary-Treasurer