New mayor outlines goals for Lower Burrell in 2024

Lower Burrell’s new mayor took the gavel Wednesday night and prioritized continued business growth and development, community engagement and transparency.

“There’s no more of us reacting to stuff,” Mayor Chris Fabry said. “We’re really going to take a proactive approach moving forward in the city, because that’s what needs to be done.”

Fabry said the city will explore county, state and federal resources, and strengthen relationships with those officials and mayors in surrounding communities.

“We’re really going to explore those avenues to see what we can do, because we all have to fight a collective battle,” Fabry said. “It’s just not going to be the people that are up on this dais. We all have to get with all the other partners that we can to see what we can accomplish.”

The future also holds a focus on business and development, Fabry said.

“You can’t make a business come to Lower Burrell. That’s not possible. I can’t tell someone to come here,” Fabry said. “But what we can do is we can invite them, and we can be welcoming, and we can help market them.”

Another goal is to increase community events and continue ways to keep the community involved. Fabry wants to complete long discussed projects such as repurposing the old tax office, overhauling the city’s website and improving City Hall security.

The city won’t shy away from difficulties, Fabry said.

EMS funding is a national problem. Lower Burrell will tackle that problem locally, he said.

The city will do everything it can to not raise taxes, Fabry said. He noted other municipalities with recent large tax increases.

“We’re in good financial shape, but we’re not going to wait until it’s too late either and then bankrupt our residents,” Fabry said. “It will not happen under this administration.”

He also pledged full transparency out of his administration and encouraged people to hold elected officials accountable.

“We’re not here to talk, we’re here to take action,” he said.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Westmoreland County Judge Chris Scherer swore in Councilmen Ron Welker and Mike Stanoski, Controller John Andrejcik and Treasurer Frank Trozzi.

“I’m proud and honored to be a part of Lower Burrell City Council,” Stanoski said. “I want to be part of making this city prosperous and keep the citizens in mind as your voice. I look forward to working with Mayor Fabry and on an excellent team to serve the community of Lower Burrell.”

Council also retained Greg Primm as city manager, Stephen Yakopec Jr. as solicitor, LSSE Engineering and Matt Pitsch as engineer, Larry D. Loperfito as the zoning hearing board’s solicitor, Mark Turnley as independent auditor and Jonathan Barron as sewage enforcement officer.