Work progressing on Boston Ballfield project
The new fieldhouse recenty had its walls and roof erected.
Progress is moving along at the Boston Ballfield in Elizabeth Township, where a new field house is under construction.
During last week’s monthly meeting, Commissioner Adam Musisko gave the public an update on the Boston Ballfield project because many people have been asking about drainage issues in right field.
“It has been rectified with a lot of drilling and a lot of rerouting of the water,” Musisko said. “It’s been too muddy since for them to go in and replace it. It will either get carved out and hydroseeded in March or the sod installed somewhere in the south to allow them to go in and have them ready somewhere in April. That’s the goal for the ballfield down there.”
According to Musisko, the fieldhouse has also gone up, with its walls completed March 4, and the roof was constructed. He said everything is moving along well.
“The engineering firm will come in next off the ground so we can work on the inside and get that finished,” he added. “We got out of some really cold weather and we should be back in the next few weeks toward spring.”
Other projects
Township KLH Engineer Kevin Creagh said the Lovedale Pump Station has been resubmitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection for technical review, and the township has a $200,000 Pa. Small Water and Sewer grant for part of the work.
Creagh said the township has to put the station repairs out to bid, and he said they want to as soon as possible because there are some wait times for parts.
“I would like to discuss putting it out for bid in April, that way we can potentially open it in May and exchange contracts in June, just because of the June 30, 2026 timeline,” said Creagh. “I would like to give it a year in order for them to be able to do that work. In a perfect world, you give us authorization at your April meeting and we bid it out immediately the next day.”
Commissioner Kyle Walk agreed the process needs to move forward because it is going to take about a year to get repairs done and the township is under a consent order from DEP.
“We already decided we are going to do this upgrade. Now that we have the technical information, let’s pull the trigger and do it,” Walk said. “We still have money from the 2012 sanitary bond to cover the rest. We would have to pay for that upfront and then get reimbursed by the grant. The money is there to do it.”
Commissioner Josh Walls agreed, stating that it would be helpful for the engineer and Veolia Water North America, which handles the township’s water and sewer system, to sit down and discuss the process.
Creagh also brought up the township’s MS4 program.
The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) prohibits the discharge of pollutants into waterways without the appropriate permits. The stormwater requirements of the federal Clean Water Act are administered under the DEP’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Program.
Municipalities and other entities that meet certain criteria must obtain NPDES permit coverage for discharges of stormwater from their municipal separate storm sewer systems. The township has been enacting the program over the past year.
The board plans to work on and discuss the rest of the MS4 program at this month’s workshop meeting.
Upcoming events
• The Elizabeth Forward Fire Department will host the band “Dancing Queen” from 6 to 10 p.m. March 22 at the Boston Spectrum. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be an auction, concessions and raffles.
• From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. April 3, members of UPMC Community Services will be at the Elizabeth Township Municipal Building to assist members of the community with free Supplemental Security Income applications, coverage, resources and more.
• The next blood drive is set for 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 9 at the Elizabeth Township Municipal Building. Appointments are recommended, but not required, and can be scheduled on Vitalant’s website.
• The township Easter event is will be at 11 a.m. April 12 at the public works garage. They will have photos with the Easter bunny, games, treat bags and more. Those looking to volunteer can contact executive assistant Jess Gronlund at 412-751-2880, ext. 1023.
• Pennsylvania Resource Council will hold a free household chemical collection event on June 21 and a free hard to recycle collection event Aug. 2 at Elizabeth Forward Middle School.
