By Renatta Signorini

Published: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Murrysville will receive $1.77 million from the state in exchange for taking back ownership of a 3.7-mile stretch of Logan Ferry Road.

That will allow the municipality to improve the road that would otherwise continue to have drainage issues. Council voted unanimously Wednesday to accept the transfer.

“The only way the road will ever see improvement is Murrysville doing it,” said Councilman William Vance.

The 3.7-mile section of Logan Ferry Road crosses Route 286 and extends from the Plum Borough line to Plum Line Nursery. Chief Administrator Jim Morrison said 1,200 residences are less than a quarter mile from Logan Ferry Road, which sees about 2,600 trips daily.

“That area of the community's pretty well-developed,” he said.

In addition to the $1.77 million, Murrysville will receive $14,684 annually from the state through liquid fuel funds as part of the transfer agreement.

Morrison estimated that the cost of annual maintenance for the municipality will be about $10,500.

The low cost factored into council's vote.

“That's a lot of people who are living on a road that is substandard,” said Councilwoman Joan Kearns, adding that the road won't improve while it is state-owned. “I think it's time we bit the bullet and put our hand out.”

Murrysville has previously accepted seven roads from the state in the past under similar agreements.

In other business, council asked Morrison to prepare a contract for animal control services based on changes the group suggested Wednesday. Hoffman Kennels was the lone bidder to provide animal control services to the municipality at a monthly cost of $360.

Changes include adding a function to the municipality's website that would allow owners to connect with a lost pet and that Murrysville police be notified within 24 hours. After a group of citizens complained about the kennel, two councilmen visited the facility and were satisfied.

The municipality's 2013 budget shows a 1.29 percent increase in revenues and expenditures from the current plan. The $8.3 million budget does not include a tax increase.

Renatta Signorini is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.

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