Norwin-area happenings, Jan. 21 and beyond

Police cars purchased

North Huntingdon police will be getting two new police cars this year.

Township commissioners approved a payment of $33,185 each for two 2021 Ford police Interceptor Pursuit all-wheel-drive vehicles from Jim Shorkey Auto Group of North Huntingdon.

North Huntingdon is buying the cars through the state’s cooperative purchasing agreement.

Emergency management committee members OK’s

Seven people have been appointed by the North Huntingdon commissioners to the township’s emergency management committee.

Former North Huntingdon Police Capt. Rodney Mahinske, Mitch Astalos, Harry Pawluk, Jack Boyland, Bill Hensel, Jeff West, Dennis Collins and Eric Friez were appointed to four-year terms.

Robert Dippolito, who was named to the post of emergency management coordinator in the fall, had sought members to serve on the committee.

Irwin police to continue to patrol Irwin Manor

Irwin police will continue to patrol Irwin Manor, the Westmoreland County Housing Authority’s building on First Street for senior citizens.

Irwin council approved the agreement with the housing authority, which pays officers for about 12 hours per week.

The county housing authority uses a grant to reimburse the borough for the officers’ wages , said Irwin Police Chief Dan Wensel.

Wensel said it is not a problem with officers being on duty at the senior citizen facility because it is extra duty. It gives the part-time officers an opportunity to supplement their wages, the chief said.

Board members appointed in North Huntingdon

The North Huntingdon commissioners appointed members to the zoning hearing board, planning commission and sewage authorities.

Tom Kerber and Joseph Dykta Sr. were reappointed to four-year terms on the planning commission.

Alan Vento was appointed to a five-year term on the zoning hearing board.

Thomas Hemple was appointed to a five-year term on the North Huntingdon Township Municipal Authority and Charles Gilbert was appointed to a five-year term on the Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority.

Emil Gindlesberger was appointed to the township civil service commission for a six-year term.

Irwin to return to virtual council meetings

Irwin will return to virtual meetings when council conducts its business until further notice, at least until the governor lifts the limits on in-person gatherings.

With little fanfare and no criticism of Gov. Tom Wolf, council voted 5-1 on Jan. 13 to return to the virtual meetings that can be viewed on Irwin’s Facebook page. Councilman Shawn Stitely opposed it.

At Irwin’s council meeting room in the public works building, the gathering is limited to 10% of capacity. The borough sets up seating for about 30 people, plus the seven members of council, borough manager, solicitor and mayor.

By returning to virtual meetings, Shari Martino, borough manager, said they will not need to pay for a legal advertisement because council last month advertised it would hold its meetings in 2021 in a virtual manner, until further notice.

The borough will post the agenda for the meetings on its Facebook page prior to the agenda sessions. To make comments on agenda items, residents can send their comments to irwinboroughmanager@gmail.com.

For additional information, contact the borough office at 724-864-3100.