Politics & Government

Bell Acres Approves Contract to Demolish Eyesore

Council is working to demolish a boarded-up, vacant home at Pine Manor.

Bell Acres Council is one step closer to tearing down a .

Council approved a $6,800 contract Monday night with A.W. McNabb LLC to demolish 105 Pine Manor. The Burgettstown-based company offered the lower of two bids, with the other coming in at $9,700.

Bell Acres received grant funding from the Quaker Valley Council of Governments to move forward with the demolition of the boarded-up two-story house. The structure sits off Camp Meeting Road at the entrance of , a private roadway in .

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Council Vice President David Renfrew said the property has been “an eyesore for the borough” for years. Once demolished, he hopes Bell Acres is able to get the title cleared so the property isn’t a complete loss from the tax rolls. 

Councilman Bob Powner agreed, adding that the property is already connected to public water and sewage.

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“Maybe somebody will buy it and put a nice house back on it,” he said.

But that could take some time, said Solicitor Robert Junker.

The home’s previous owner, Denise Bonfilio is currently facing numerous federal charges connected to a and is set to go to trial in August. Officials said the $400,000 mortgage she owes on the home has been foreclosed on and the property belongs to Bank of America.

The borough gave Bonfilio time to bring the home up to code. When that didn’t happen, officials condemned the place several years ago and boarded it up for safety reasons.

Junker said the bank has no interest in preserving the structure. The house could be demolished in late August.

“By and large, it’s pretty much set for the wrecking ball,” Junker said.

 

Road Contract Approved

Council also approved a $37,201 contract to Wampum-based Youngblood Paving for the 2012 road maintenance project.

The list of roads include Backbone Road, Foxhill Drive, Fairway Road, Highview Drive and Partridge Court.

Councilman Philip Ewanko Jr., chairman of the public works committee, said the project came in under budget.

“We did quite well,” he said. 

Road Dedication

Council also voted 5 to 1 to take over a road from the Skymark housing plan under the condition that a few items be fixed that included sealing and catch basins in lieu of a maintenance bond. Renfrew opposed the measure.

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