Vandergrift to reopen pool and library, Facebook page coming

Restrictions to public facilities in Vandergrift will begin easing, after council voted Monday night to amend its declaration of emergency to fit guidelines in the green phase.

“If there is potential funding, I would hate for us to lose it,” said attorney Alaine Generelli, on why the emergency declaration should be extended.

Under the amended order, the borough office will be open to the public by appointment.

Monthly in-person council meetings will likely resume, with some restrictions, in July.

For many borough residents, that comes as a relief. Monday’s meeting lasted more than two hours, but portions of the discussion among council members were inaudible on Zoom. Comments flooded the chat function complaining about the spotty sound.

Vandergrift pool, library to open

The Vandergrift pool will tentatively reopen Friday, June 12, in accordance with guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Council voted to hire a manager and assistant manager, as well as to rehire several of last year’s employees.

Due to social distancing guidelines and limited hours — as well as the possibility the open date will be postponed — council members voted to not sell season passes this year. Pool-goers can purchase admission at the gate.

Parks will also reopen completely in the green phase. Council members acknowledged that if there was any sort of outbreak or if parks became a “hot spot” for contracting the coronavirus, restrictions could be reimposed.

“All of our neighbors are starting to (open),” said Councilman John Uskuraitis, who chairs the parks and recreation committee.

The Vandergrift Public Library will also reopen June 15. Vanessa Groholski, library director, said she had emailed reopening plans to Council President Kathy Chvala, with instructions for following CDC guidelines. She said she was eager to reopen so the library could continue to be “a heartbeat in our community.”

Facebook page coming

Also at Monday’s meeting, the council voted to create an official Facebook page to announce borough news and events. Comments on the page will be disabled, council members said.

At the mention of a Facebook page, Councilwoman Karen McClarnon again raised concerns over the legitimacy of the borough’s website and email system. At a previous meeting in March, Solicitor Larry Loperfito told council they should find an “insured” designer who can be contracted by the borough. Chvala on Monday recited a long list of web designers she had reached out to and received price estimates from.

Uskuraitis suggested a motion to continue having Chvala’s daughter maintain the borough’s current website, but McClarnon insisted Vandergrift hire a professional through a bidding process. In the end, once again, held off so council members could conduct more research.