Leetsdale Considers Hiring a Public Works Employee

is considering adding another full-time employee to the public works department.

Council members said the borough has staffed as many as five employees in the past, but is now down to three full-time workers and one part-time employee. One full-time worker is out for about a month with an injury, leaving just two full-timers.

Borough officials recently said they hoped to hire a full-time employee who could fill in until the injured worker returns.  After the injured worker's return, the part-time employee would be laid off.

The new employee would earn about $34,000 a year, and the borough would pay an additional $10,000 toward benefits.

Leetsdale resident Tom Belacastro reminded council of and said he thinks the borough should stick with the part-time worker.

“If we’re going to take a big hit on Hussey, that’s a pretty big undertaking hiring another full-time employee,” he said.

Belacastro said if  closes down its Leetsdale plant, the jobs will be gone along with the revenue.

“We're not in dire need of grass being cut,” he said.

Borough officials said the full-time worker would have a commercial driver's  license, which the part-time employee does not have. The two public works employees also have their hands full preparing for winter. The department's responsibilities include leaf pickup, crack sealing and snow removal. 

Council has not made any decision on the hiring.

Brush pickup

• Any resident with brush can call the borough to have it picked up. Contractor material is excluded from pickup.

Zoning vacancy

• Council is looking to fill a vacancy on the zoning hearing board. The three-member board renders legislative decisions on variance issues, separately from council. Members aren’t permitted to serve on other Leetsdale boards.