Month in review: A look at the top stories from the Verona area in January

Here is a look at what happened in Verona this past month.

• Trish Hredzak-Showalter was unanimously appointed to fill the vacant seat of former council president Pat McCarthy, who resigned due to health reasons a few weeks ago.

Hredzak-Showalter is the chairwoman of the parks and recreation board and coordinator of its subcommittee on a community garden project. She is the vice-chair of the Verona Community Group, supporter of the Verona Garden Club and helped expand a Neighborhood Watch program along North Avenue and nearby streets.

• Borough manager Jerry Kenna resigned from his post and was rehired as Verona’s part-time finance director. Council hired Susan Hockenberry, executive director of Quaker Valley Council of Governments, as a consultant for its full-time borough manager search.

Kenna took over as manager for Mark Stanton, Verona’s current code enforcement officer, in 2016. The search for his replacement is expected to take at least a few months.

• Cribb’s Field pavilion replacement project got underway with crews demolishing the old structure. New construction is expected to begin this month with possible project completion in April.

Plum-based Pampena Landscaping & Construction was awarded the contract. They were the lowest of five bidders. Estimated total cost is $210,000.

• Borough officials want to preserve Verona’s history via a time capsule, which will be dedicated later this year as part of the borough’s 150th anniversary celebration. Items such as photos, business cards, journal or diary entries, news clippings and more are being collected.

The town originally was part of a 460-acre section of Mechanicsburg along the Allegheny River purchased by James Verner. Verner Elementary School along South Avenue was named after the family.

Verona Borough was incorporated May 10, 1871. It was divided into two wards.

More information about the 150th celebration can be found on the Verona Community Group’s Facebook page.

People can also email neighbors@veronacommunity.org or call Hredzak-Showalter at 724-462-0985 for more information.