Elizabeth Twp. public works department recognized

The department was honored in the township’s latest newsletter.

The public works department in Elizabeth Township was honored last week for its service to the area.

Commissioner Chris Thoma presented public works supervisor Tom Methven and his team a framed photo of the cover of the township’s fall newsletter. It had a picture of the public works team in front of Jacktown Road, which they worked on themselves.

“The front cover is of our public works and I have been here two and a half years, almost three now and I have to say that our public works have gone above and beyond,” Thoma said. “When you talk about Forest Hills, without them doing the work on their own, it would still be closed. Same can be said for Jacktown Road. Without them, it would still be closed.”

The administration team put together the framed picture for Methven, and Thoma said the front cover would be good in a frame so the public works team could hang it up.

“We thought this would be a good place to put for their team so they can remember how important they are to us and we’re very thankful for what they have done for us,” Thoma said. “All of these people are residents of Elizabeth Township so when they’re working for us, they’re working as your neighbor. Their families go to schools here and all those things, so it’s very important that we recognize them and I thought this would be just a small token of our appreciation.”

The newsletter is used to inform the public about what has been happening in the township so people get an idea how the township and the employees are working for the community, according to Thoma.

There was additional discussion about with leaf pickup in the township, and the newsletter describes which areas get leaf pickup on certain days.

“Leaf pickup started last week, but due to manpower and breakdown, we’re taking steps this week to get caught back up so we’ll be out every day from now on,” Methven said. “The information is on the website and it was mailed out with the fall newsletter.

“The township was broken down into five zones by neighborhood as best as we could. So we are just going through each neighborhood as we can, but it’s kind of like your garbage.”

According to Methven, public works has a map with streets laid out and packets per day so there is no confusion on where they are going.

Public works is going to schedule a day in November when they will go around the township. If a resident calls or emails them at 412751-2880 Ext. 1029 or tmethven@elizabethtwppa.com, public works collects larger branches.

More information about leaf and branch collection in the township can be found at www.elizabethtownshippa. com/brush-collection. It is also published in Elizabeth Township’s fall newsletter.

“Sometimes you may see it get picked up across the street like Bell Ridge,” Methven said. “One half and the other so it just depends on what side. It’s looking like it is going to be a much more efficient system than just randomly driving around looking for leaves, so we’re hoping it really works out. It seems to be right now, but after this week we’ll know for sure.”

Public works discussed other topics: • The township is applying for a Statewide Local Share Account for a public works skid steer through the Commonwealth Financing Committee.

• Work began on Valley View Drive’s draining and paving project, which includes a bunch of repairs to paving and piping.