In brief: Sewickley Hills budget passes, winter concerts and more

Budget approved

Sewickley Hills council voted to approve its 2026 budget on Dec. 9.

Real estate taxes remain at 2.84 mills.

Projected revenues and expenses were listed at slightly less than $800,000.

Income includes about $272,150 in earned income taxes, $270,600 in current real estate taxes, $69,250 in interest earnings, $35,360 in facility rentals, $27,900 in state revenues and $11,900 in licenses and permits.

Proposed spending includes about $300,000 for building improvements, $113,500 for police, $57,100 for fire protection, $44,000 for winter maintenance, $16,300 for tax collection, $15,500 for engineering services, $13,300 for auditing/bookkeeping, $13,200 for utilities, $12,250 for legal services, $12,000 for sanitation and $7,500 for community events.

The budget is available for review at the borough office, 349 Magee Road.

Leet vacancies

Leet is accepting resumes and letters of interest for various volunteer boards.

They include a six-year term on the civil service commission, a six-year term as an alternate on the civil service commission and a four-year term on the Quaker Valley Ambulance Board.

Those interested may submit documents at the township office, 194 Ambridge Ave.

Appointments made

Sewickley council unanimously voted to approve the following appointments on Dec. 9:

• Maria Swanson to a six-year term on the civil service commission expiring Dec. 31, 2031.

• Kathy Brant and Christopher Driscoll to three-year terms on the historic review commission expiring Dec. 31, 2028.

• Juliane Mazzarella, Christine Brondyke, David Bishop and Nikos Pappan to three-year terms on the planning commission expiring Dec. 31, 2028.

• Jennifer Snee and Michael Stewart to five-year terms on the Sewickley Water Authority board expiring Dec. 31, 2030.

• L.E. Shoenberg, Kathe Barge and Robyn Jones to three-year terms on the zoning hearing board expiring Dec. 31, 2028.

• Larry Rice to a one-year term on the vacancy board expiring Dec. 31, 2026.

Dog catcher reappointed

Sewickley council recently approved a new two-year deal with Hoffman Kennels.

The company has been the borough’s dog catcher since 2022.

Borough manager Donna Kaib said the new deal has no cost increases. The monthly charge remains $200 with emergency and after-hours calls an additional $120.

Fern Hollow Nature Center

Fern Hollow’s popular 10-week drop-off program returns Jan. 7

Due to Nature Center renovations, this session will be held at the Ohio Township Community Park (325 Nicholson Road, Sewickley, PA 15143).

Little Explorers (ages 3–5): Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Junior Explorers (ages 4–6): Thursday afternoons from 1:30-4 p.m.

These programs provide older preschoolers and kindergarteners with valuable nature-based lessons, hands-on learning, and outdoor exploration.

Ready to learn the secrets of winter survival? Winter Birds of Pennsylvania will take place Jan. 19 from 10 a.m.-noon at Ohio Township Community Park. Children in grades K-5 will explore the different bird species that visit our area in the cold months. The program is packed with fun, including making a DIY suet bird feeder and taking a guided bird watching hike on the trail.

Pricing and details for both programs can be found at fhnc.org.

Winter concerts

Edgeworth Elementary fifth graders perform at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the elementary school.

Osborne Elementary fifth graders perform at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the elementary school.

More information is available on Quaker Valley School District’s Facebook page.

Bird count

Little Sewickley Creek Watershed Association will host a watershed winter bird count on Jan. 3.

Field watchers, those volunteering outside, will do counts from 8 a.m. to noon at Sewickley Heights Park, Walker Park, Morrow Pontefract Park and other locations within the watershed.

Theater watchers, those who want to stay inside, can participate anytime during the day and log their observations of bird species and the number of birds at their bird feeders or anywhere in their neighborhoods.

The association will post the results of the count on its website, lscwatershed.org.

Those interested in participating should contact John Orndorff at 412-313-1363 or email orndjo@gmail.com.

Christmas tree recycling

Aleppo residents should check their mailboxes for a township postcard about its annual Christmas tree recycling program.

Township Manager Gwen Patterson said the card will have information about when residents should leave out their trees. Public works crews will collect and mulch them after the holiday.

Meeting change

Aleppo commissioners’ regular December meeting has been rescheduled from Dec. 15 to Dec. 22 to accommodate commissioner travel and ensure a quorum.

Their Nov. 17 meeting was canceled due to a lack of a quorum.

All meetings are at 7 p.m. at the township office, 100 North Drive.

The Lindsay Theater

Catch a film and fill a pantry this holiday season! The Lindsay is collecting nonperishable donations for the Center for Hope in Ambridge through New Year’s Eve.

Tickets are on sale for The Lindsay’s Holiday Classics! We’re playing “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (live action) and “Christmas in Connecticut” from Dec. 19 through Christmas Day.

Wendy Whittick, the Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club’s president, will introduce the 7 p.m. “Christmas for Connecticut” screening on Dec. 19. This zany farce stars Barbara Stanwyck as a food writer desperately trying to maintain her image as the perfect housewife after her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for Christmas.

Dazzling Nights

Tickets are now on sale for the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s Dazzling Nights Pittsburgh holiday light show.

This is the fourth year for what has quickly become one of Pittsburgh’s most highly anticipated holiday light experiences, this year boasting 20 distinct worlds that guests will explore as they walk through the immersive, mile-long path. Dazzling Nights runs through Jan. 3, with entry times beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific time and date, and are available exclusively at DazzlingPittsburgh.com. Tickets are $28-34.75 for adults and $25-$33.75 for children (prices listed include fees) plus tax. Children 3 and under enter free. Active Garden members enjoy 20% off up to 8 tickets in a single transaction using their member discount code (exclusions apply). Memberships are available at pittsburgh botanicgarden.org/membership.

Business Connection

Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, a referral group of business professionals, will meet at Eat’n Park on Route 60 in Robinson Township for breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 24. Speakers will be Jim Stossel of LPL Financial and Bernie Slutiak of Insurance Consultants of Pittsburgh. To attend, become a member or for more information, visit gpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.

SMC Club

SMC Club, an affiliate of the Sewickley Valley YMCA, will host the North Allegheny High School Choir, who will sing Christmas songs, on Dec. 19. There will not be a meeting on Dec. 26 or Jan. 2 because of the holidays. Geologist Fred Zelt will discuss the geology of Western Pennsylvania on Jan. 9. For more information, visit smensclub.org or Facebook.com/ smensclub.

To have your event or information listed in our briefs section, email Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com. The next issue of the Sewickley Herald publishes on Jan. 15. Deadline for submissions is Jan. 5.