Charleroi nixes Corelle Brands street sweeper use request
By Taylor Brown
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Charleroi Borough Council has opted not to offer street department services to one of the largest employers in town, creating a divide among council members who worry the move may have burned a bridge.
During a business meeting Wednesday, Council President Mark Alterici asked for a motion to consider a request from Corelle Brands to have the borough use its street sweeper on its 100 Eighth St., plant site.
The Illinois-based kitchenware manufacturer changed its name to Corelle Brands in 2018. The factory was founded in 1893 by George MacBeth and has operated under other names, including Corning and World Kitchen.
According to an email request, the company asked to have its warehouse area swept by borough employees on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.
While the borough could bill the company for employee time spent completing the job, other concerns were brought up by Solicitor Steve Toprani.
Toprani said he is reluctant to advise council to authorize such a service on private property, citing liability concerns and potential inquiries for similar services by other borough businesses.
“We could likely be reimbursed for our hourly wages, but anything else would have to be determined by a fee schedule that would be advertised and approved,” Toprani said. “I just don’t think we want to get into that business.”
He also said depending on the job, or the type of material needed to be swept, it could enter into a drain or stormwater drain, potentially putting the borough at risk to be cited by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“I really think the borough would need more information before making a decision on this,” Toprani said.
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