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Politics & Government

Forest Hills Council Discusses Keeping the Tree City Green

Council discussed the addition of a possible dog park and bike trail, among other green initiatives.

At its public meeting Wednesday evening, Forest Hills council discussed ways the borough might make the Tree City greener.

Among issues council discussed were retrofitting the controls for heating and cooling, and lighting in the borough building. According to councilman Steve Karas, the county will pay for most of the project using a federal grant it has received, which will cover about 75 percent of the total cost.

“Essentially, we’re getting $30,000 worth of retrofitted lighting for about $7,000,”  Karas said. “You have to realize the importance of borough involvement. And while you never know what the outcome will be, you have to take the preliminary steps. Otherwise we wouldn’t have this outcome; we wouldn’t be able to have this discussion.”

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Other green initiatives council discussed included solar powered fans and new green roof technology to replace the roofs at the district magistrate building and the borough building.

The addition of bike trails leading into the city will be up for debate in the future.

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Council also discussed the addition of a dog park in Forest Hills. After speaking with community members, council members said, they saw that this was a recurring request from residents.

But resident Jim Busa voiced concerns about the park.

“Will it comply with noise ordinances?” Busa asked council. “And where will the grants come from?”

Karas said the project is still in the preliminary stages and that his concerns would be addressed before approval.

A possible location council is considering is behind the Westinghouse Recreation Center on Barclay Avenue, which is now a clean fill dumpsite. One resident complained that the site would be unsightly and hazardous.

Debates about the dog park will continue and, in the future, council said it will decide on sustainable ways to erect the new park, should the motion pass.

Upcoming green events include the Farmers Market, which takes place every Friday, and the Computer and Electronics Recycling event on Saturday June 25.

In addition, council added two new part-time police officers to the Forest Hills force: Nicklas Vigliotti and Richard Marone.

Council holds its next meeting July 20.  

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