Newsletter_Spring_2016 1.6 MB

Leet Township Newsletter
198 Ambridge Avenue
Fair Oaks, PA 15003
724-266-2280
Spring 2016
Leet Township
Commissioners
Gary L. Bradel,
President
John J. Stephansky,
Vice President
Susan Barness
James Janaszek
Jeff Besong
Leet Township Contact
Information
Wayne Hyjek, Township
Manager, Right to Know
Officer 724-266-2280,
ext. 1
Betsy Rengers, Assistant
Manager, Secretary
724-266-2280, ext. 2
Bill Wanto, Chief of Police
Non-emergency: 724-266-6141
Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire
Department: Mark Brooks,
Fire Chief
Non-emergency:724-266-6133
Rick Watach, Leet
Township Public Works
Foreman: 724-266-8072
Leet Township Municipal
Authority (sewer): Elaine
Macurak, Assist. Secretary:
724-266-8516
Cindy Wanto, Tax
Collector, 724-266-2280,
ext. 3
Building Inspector
Joe Luff, 412-766-2565
Code Enforcement
Andy Wanto: 724-2668072
Visit our website: leettownship.org.
Leet Township Now Accepting Credit Card and ACH Payments
For your convenience, you now have the option to pay certain types of fees with
a credit card or by ACH. Go to www.leettownship.org and on the homepage of
the website you will see payment buttons for different types of payments. Click on
the payment type you wish to make and follow the prompts to make the payment.
Click the Community Fee Payment button for:

Alarm Permits

Landlord/Tenant Registration

Occupancy Permits

Purchase of a Code Book

Solicitation Permit

Zoning Hearing Board Fees
Click the Property Tax button for:

Leet Township Municipal Real Estate Tax Payments
Click the Parks and Recreation button for:

Plum Street Park Rentals (Reservations must be made through Twp.
Office first. Reservations not made through the Office will not be
honored.)
Click Building Permits for:

Building Permits-The Building Inspector assess the fees.
Credit Card Payments
Visa, MasterCard or Discover
You may stop in the office or pay on-line.
Convenience Fees associated with credit card payments: Under $100.00: a fee of
$2.45 will be added, over $100.00: a fee of 2.45% of the total will be added.
ACH Payments
Payment withdrawals directly from your checking account.
Convenience Fees for ACH Payments: Flat fee of $1.50.
ACH Payments can be made on-line.
The Convenience Fee will be added to your purchase when you add the
purchase to the cart. If you have any questions about how to use the on-line
payment system, please call Betsy at 724-266-2280, option 2.
Please be aware that Leet Township Municipal Authority does not accept credit
card payments for sewer bills at this time.
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Leet Township Police Department
Non-emergency: 724-266-6141
CHIEF WILLIAM S. WANTO
LIEUTENANT BOB SIMMONS
Officer Ron Wilson
Officer Angel Moore
Officer Shawn English
Officer Cody Wisenor
Officer Michael Molinaro
Officer Barry McQuaid
Officer Anna Jandric
Officer Mike Pszenny
Introducing Leet Township Part time Police Officers
With the retirement of two full time officers in 2016, Leet Township Police Department has elected to
operate this year with two full time officers, Chief Bill Wanto and Lieutenant Bob Simmons, and 8 part time
officers. In 2017, the two full time positions will be filled. The Civil Service Commission has conducted testing
and has established a short list of officers to fill the full time positions. Leet Township has a talented crew of
part-time officers who are dedicated to the safety of our residents. Below you will find bios on each officer.
Officer Barry McQuaid
Officer Barry McQuaid graduated from the Beaver County Police Academy in 1987 and
has served Leet Township as a part time officer for 16 years making him one of the
longest tenured part time officers in the Quaker Valley area. Officer McQuaid has also
worked for Leetsdale and Edgeworth Police Departments. You may also know Barry from
working with Edgeworth Water Authority and Leet Township Municipal Authority. Officer
McQuaid’s experience in police work and relationships with Township residents is valued
asset to the Department. Officer McQuaid is a resident of Leet Township.
Officer Ron Wilson-Leet Township Crime Prevention Officer/Emergency Management Coordinator
My name is Ron Wilson and I have been fortunate to serve all of you since 2010 as a
part time police officer and Emergency Management Coordinator since 2015. I
graduated from Beaver County Police Academy in 2009 and have worked full time as
a university police officer since 2011. I have attended numerous elective police
trainings such as Identity Theft, Sexual Assault Responder, Interviewing Victims/
Witnesses, and National Incident Management Systems to name a few. Like all of
you, I along with my wife of fifteen years and five children am a resident of the
township since 2007. I proudly served our country in the United States Air Force/PA
Air National Guard where along with my normal duties volunteered to serve for the
Honor Guard and also a Fatality Search and Rescue Team, and was honorably
discharged in 2011 with numerous awards and certificates. I currently hold multiple
college credits and am pursuing a B.A. from Carlow University.
Officer Angel Moore-Leet Township Public Relations and Juvenile Officer
Officer Moore has been with the Department for six years and has campus police
experience. She graduated from the Allegheny County Police Training Academy,
earned an Associate and Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from La Roche
College and has recently earned a Master's Degree in Science of Fraud
Examination and Forensic Accounting from Carlow University. Her extensive
training includes Active Shooter Response Training and she is a member of
Certified Fraud Examiners. Officer Moore is a proud military wife and a mother of
six children. When Officer Moore is not working, she enjoys spending time hunting,
fishing, and farming with her family.
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Officer Mike Molinaro-Leet Township Certified Vehicle Weigh Master/Vehicle and Truck Inspections
Enforcement Officer/Traffic Enforcement Officer
Officer Michael Molinaro has proudly been a part time police officer for Leet
Township for 2 1/2 years after graduating from Beaver County Police Academy in
2013 and is committed to the safety of our residents. Officer Molinaro has been
certified in numerous police training classes such as Traffic Patrol/Drug Interdiction,
Vehicle Search and Seizure, and What’s New in Drugs 2015 and is currently the
Vehicle/Truck Inspection Enforcement Officer and a Certified Vehicle Weigh Master
for Leet Township. He has 12 years experience as a state inspection mechanic and
is in charge of patrol vehicle and equipment maintenance for the Township. He is
looking to relocate to the Township in the near future. Officer Molinaro enjoys
working on cars and working out in his spare time.
Officer Mike Pszenny-Leet Township Fire Arms Instructor
Officer Mike Pszenny has served as a part time officer for Leet Township for 5 years and
is known in the Quaker Valley area having worked many years for Edgeworth and Bell
Acres. Officer Pszenny was recently promoted to Sergeant at Marion Township where he
works full time. He brings experience and leadership to the Department and serves as
the Township’s Fire Arms Instructor. Officer Pszenny enjoys camping and hunting in his
spare time.
Officer Shawn English
Officer Shawn English has served as a part time officer for Leet Township for over 2
years. Officer English earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Pittsburgh
Technical Institute and graduated from Allegheny County Police Academy in 2013. He
received Act 235 certification for Arms Security Work and also has Non-crisis
Intervention certification. He has worked as an EMT and served as a volunteer fire
fighter. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, going to the shooting
range, working out and staying fit.
Officer Anna Jandric
Officer Jandric is one of the newest members of the Department after graduating from
CMU and she has recently completed 4 weeks of training with Leet Township. Officer
Jandric is continuing her education at CCAC in Business Law with a minor in Criminal
Justice. She is a part time officer for Leetsdale Borough, and does volunteer work for
various organizations. Officer Jandric is bilingual in Croatian and English and enjoys
international traveling in her spare time.
Officer Cody Wisenor
Officer Cody Wisenor is a recent addition to the Department after graduating from
Allegheny County Police Academy in December 2015. Officer Wisenor is a Military
Police Officer in the Army Reserves as well as a part time officer for Ambridge and
Edgeworth Police Departments. Officer Wisenor serves as a volunteer fire fighter for
Moon and Crescent Township an is proficient in Forums and Social Media. He is a
welcome addition to the Leet Township Police Department.
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LEET TOWNSHIP PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Foreman: Richard Watach
724-266-8072
Department Hours: Monday –Friday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Crew Leader: Andy Wanto
Thanks to Public Works Crew Leader Andy Wanto
The Leet Township Management Team would like to thank Andy Wanto for his hard work and
dedication to the Public Works Department since Foreman Rick Watach has reduced his hours to part time.
Andy has stepped up to the plate and shown exemplary leadership during this time. Andy wears many hats at
the Township such as: Crew Leader, MS4 Coordinator, Certified Pesticide Applicator and is also the Code
Enforcement Officer. Andy has a great understanding of the Township’s infrastructure requirements and is
working with the management team to budget for and plan projects for the betterment of the community.
Thanks again Andy!
Earth Day- April 22nd
Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22nd, on which day events worldwide are held to
demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated
globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.
On Earth Day, we are encouraged to plant trees, pick up litter, and recycle. Ways we can help the
environment on a daily basis are by reducing your footprint, stop using disposable plastic, buy local produce,
and start composting along with other actions. For more information on Earth Day visit: www.earthday.org
Free Compost
Spring Leaf Pick Up
Beginning in mid-April, any resident
who would like to have seasoned leaf
compost for their gardens, flower beds, or
for growing grass should contact the Public
Works Department at 724-266-8072, during
regular works hours, to arrange for pickup.
The compost storage pile is located at the
end of Willow Street.
Residents who still have leaves that need to be
picked up from last fall may bag their leaves and
place them at the curb until April 29th for pickup.
ONLY BAGS CONTAINING LEAVES WILL BE
PICKED UP. PLEASE DO NOT RAKE YOUR
LEAVES TO THE CURB.
Please call the Public Works Department at 724266-8072 for pick up. Please leave a message. All
calls will be responded to.
Recycling Bins
Communication with the Public Works
Department
Is your recycling bin old, battered and held together with duck
tape? Spruce up your recyclables and purchase a new bin at
the Township Office for $25.00 each! Your neighbors will
appreciate it!
Residents that have a question or problem
regarding Township maintenance are asked to
call the Public Works Department at 724-2668072. If no answer, please leave a message
and your call will be returned. Thanks
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2016 Paving Project
Street Sweeping
At the March 14th Board of
Commissioner’s Meeting, the Board voted to
advertise the 2016 Paving Project. The project
will be broken down into sections in the Quaker
Heights Plan, but the full project includes all of
Quaker Heights minus the cul de sacs. Bids will be
opened at the April meeting. Parts of the bid or
all of it may be awarded depending on the costs.
Paving should begin this summer.
All Township streets will get swept the second week
of April. Fair Oaks will be swept on April 13th, Quaker
Heights/Leet Acres and Olde Sewickley Highlands on the 14th
and 15th will be for areas not completed on those dates.
Please move your vehicle from the street when the sweeping
machine approaches your residence.
Storm Water Management
What is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater runoff is precipitation (rain or snowmelt) that flows across the land. Stormwater may infiltrate into
soil, discharge directly into streams, water bodies, or drain inlets, or evaporate back into the atmosphere. In the natural
environment, most precipitation is absorbed by trees and plants or permeates into the ground, which results in stable
stream flows and good water quality. Things are different in the built environment. Rain that falls on a roof, driveway,
patio or lawn runs off the surface more rapidly, picking up pollutants as it goes. This stormwater runoff flows into
streams or storm drains that discharge into waterways like Big Sewickley Creek, the Ohio River and eventually the Gulf
of Mexico.
Poorly managed stormwater runoff can cause a host of problems. These include:

Flooding: As stormwater runs off roofs, driveways and lawns, large volumes quickly reach streams, causing them
to rise quickly and flood, instead of a natural slow and steady water rise. When more impervious surfaces exist,
flooding occurs more rapidly and can be more severe, resulting in damage to property and people.

Pollution: Stormwater running over roofs, driveways, roads and lawns will pick up pollutants such as oil,
fertilizers, pesticides, dirt/sediment, trash, and animal waste. These pollutants “hitch a ride” with the stormwater
and flow untreated into local streams, polluting our waters.
Stream Bank Erosion: When stormwater flows into streams at unnaturally high volumes and speeds, the power of
these flows can cause severe stream bank erosion. Eroding banks can eat away at streamside property, create
dangerous situations, and damage natural habitat for fish and other aquatic life. This erosion is another source of
sediment pollution in streams.
Threats to Human Health
Stormwater runoff can carry many toxic pollutants, such as toxic metals, organic compounds, bacteria, and
viruses. Polluted stormwater can contaminate drinking water supplies and hamper recreational opportunities as well as
threaten fish and other aquatic life.
What Can I Do to Help?
As a homeowner, you can help avoid the problems associated with stormwater runoff by:

reducing impervious areas so that the rain soaks into the ground.

planting native trees and plants which help infiltrate stormwater and increase evaporation and transpiration.

managing stormwater on-site with rain gardens, rain barrels and similar practices.

doing many small things, you have a big impact on improving stormwater management.

For more information on Storm Water Management go to: http://leettownship.org/Storm_Water_Education_4.html
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Little Free Library Donated by the Friends of the Sewickley Public Library
Leet Township Commissioners and staff wish to thank the Friends of the Sewickley Public Library
and residents Chris Jabro and Max Magera for their recent donation of a “Little Free Library” located at
the Ambridge Ave. Park Pavilion. Residents are encouraged to take a book and leave a book.
Saundy Waseleski (retired Osborne teacher) came up with the idea, headed the committee and
brainstormed places in the community where they thought a Little Free Library would be a good fit,
visible, and get a lot of use.
Leet Township residents and college students Chris Jabro and Max Magera built the houses.
Chris Jabro is a freshman at Robert Morris University. He is studying business and working for Hart
Designs and Construction part-time. Max Magera is an Eagle Scout studying engineering at Penn State
University, Erie. When approached by Friends of the Sewickley Public Library Board to construct the
external boxes to house library books at the YMCA in Sewickley and the Borough Building in Leet
Township, they immediately started sketching designs and visited their favorite construction stores to
understand how to waterproof the interior of the boxes and put a personal touch on the design. They
invested more than 40 hours each on the design, purchase of materials, construction and installation of
the boxes over several months.
Residents are invited to join the Friends of the Sewickley Public Library for
an “opening ceremony” on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 4 p.m. at the pavilion
located at 198 Ambridge Ave., Fair Oaks, PA 15003.
Please feel free to use the Little Free Library in the mean time. It is already
filled with books!
Thanks again to the Friends of the Sewickley Public Library, Chris Jabro and
Max Magera for their hard work and donation of the Little Free Library.
The Union Aid Society is Here to Help
The mission of the Union Aid Society, founded in 1898, is to serve those in need who reside within the Quaker Valley
School District. We are the community’s safety net to which people in crisis turn for financial assistance, counseling,
advocacy and referral for other social services.
Critical short-term funding is available for food, clothing, rent, utilities, prescriptions and medical bills, child
care and student aid. All services are provided confidentially. In addition, the Union Aid Society owns, operates and
subsidizes an affordable 22-unit apartment complex for low-income seniors. These attractive, one-bedroom units are
located in the heart of Sewickley Borough within walking distance of shops, restaurants, Sewickley Library, Sewickley
Hospital, and many other services and amenities.
Finally, Union Aid awards two types of scholarships. The first assists eligible high-school students with the
costs of a college education. In addition, we provide grants to qualifying adults 25 years and older who wish to return
to school through our “A Step Up” program.
For more information about our programs, apartments, or scholarships, please contact Director Sherri Leifman
at 412-741-9240 or visit our website at www.unionaidsociety.org.
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Fair Oaks Fire Department
190 Ambridge Avenue
Fair Oaks, PA 15003
Non-emergency:
724-266-6133
www.fovfd.org
Fire Chief: Mark Brooks
The Department would like to thank the residents and businesses of Leet Township for their continued support
through our annual fund drive. The cost of maintaining equipment and personal protective equipment to keep our
firefighters safe continues grow. In 2015 the Department spent in excess of $ 15,000.00 replacing protective gear worn
while responding to calls such as boots, coats, pants, glove and helmets.
In 2016 there are plans to update the first out engine which was purchased new in 1996. The new engine which
will meet all current safety and operational standards will be better equipped to answer calls more effectively and
efficiently in today’s world. Building construction and the materials that make up much of what we have in our homes
today has changed considerably over the past 20 years and the department is equipping and training to address how
these factors impact emergency response. Purchasing a new engine is one part of ensuring that we continue to provide
the best and most effective response to all emergencies.
The Department which purchases and owns all of its equipment and facilities, will be taking on new debt to
purchase this engine. For the past 3 years the Department has had no long term debt. We are able to support this
purchase with our current level of support, but will still need the continued support of the residents and contributors
who attend our fund raising events and donate to the annual fund drive. This year we will have our Touch- A-Truck
event at Watson Institute in August and Turkey BINGO in November, please try and attend and support the Department
by attending. These events supplement the financial contribution that Leet Township makes to our operations and
allows us to maintain the level of service that we currently have and you are accustomed to.
The Department is in need of volunteers as well, if you are interested in firefighting, training and meetings are
held every Monday night at 7 PM at the fire station, 190 Ambridge Ave. in the Fair Oaks section of the Township.
Below is a rendition of the new engine, the Department is in the final stage of specifying, completing contracts
and arranging financing for the purchase. Delivery is anticipated early in 2017.
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BUILDING PERMITS/Occupancy Permits
Leet Township Board of Commissioners Meetings
724-266-2280
2016 Spring Meeting Schedule
April 11
May 9
June 13
Leet Township Municipal Authority (Sewer)
724-266-8516
2016 Spring Meeting Schedule
April 5
June 7
All meetings held at:
Leet Township Municipal Building
198 Ambridge Ave
Fair Oaks, PA 15003
Meetings start at 7 p.m. and are open to the
public.
A Building Permit must be obtained from the
Building Inspector before any existing or proposed
building or alteration is made. This includes changes
of grade, walls, fences, swimming pools, driveways,
etc.
If you are bringing in a dumpster, rewiring
you home or doing any home improvement, please
call the building inspector before you start to avoid
costly do overs.
Occupancy Permits are required with each and
every change in occupancy and annually if you are a
landlord.
For building or occupancy permits or if you
have a question pertaining to either please call Leet
Township Building Inspector Joe Luff at
(412) 766-2565.
Real Estate Tax Collection
Cindy Wanto, Leet Twp. Real Estate Tax Collector
Taxes collected at Leet Township Municipal Building
198 Ambridge Ave, Fair Oaks, PA 15003
724-266-2280 ext.3
2016 Tax Collection Hours:
Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. /Thursdays 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.
2016 Municipal Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Municipal Real Estate Taxes
Due Date
2% Discount
March 15th– May 15th
Face
May 16th– July 15th
Penalty
After July 15th
Turned over to Portnoff
(Delinquent Tax Collector)
December 31st
Leet Township Installment Payment Option
Residents may pay their Municipal Taxes in installments. To exercise this option, you must set up your
payment plan with Leet Township Tax Collector Cindy Wanto. We are extending the first installment payment date
until April 30th.
Four equal payments may be made on a schedule as follows:
 25% shall be due and payable on or before April 1st; (extended to April 30, 2016)
 25% shall be due and payable on or before July 1st;
 25% shall be due and payable on or before September 1st; and
 25% shall be due and payable on or before December 1st.
No abatement or discount shall be allowed on taxes paid under the installment schedule. A penalty of 5% shall be
applied to each installment payment which becomes delinquent.
To make Real Estate Tax installment payments , please contact Cindy Wanto, Leet Township Tax Collector, at
724-266-2280, option 3 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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