Sewage Authority Upset Over Street Light Removal

The Ford City Borough Municipal Sewage Disposal Authority received an unwelcomed present on Christmas Eve. 

According to James Smerick, Superintendent of Sewage Authority, Allegheny Power crews removed street lights that illuminate the area around the Authority’s property on the morning of December 24. Smerick said he was told by Allegheny Power representative that Ford City Borough requested the removal.

Authority Treasurer Brenda Vargo immediately responded with an email to council members.

“Due to the sensitive nature of our business, we have notified the Ford City Police Department of your actions to have the light removed and requested that the police department step up their patrol of our area in order to help with any security measures that may be jeopardized due to your actions until we are able to have this light reinstalled.”

The street light was reinstalled the following week and was paid for by the Sewage Authority.

Attorney Chuck Pascal questions removal of a street light during last night’s Ford City Sewage Authority meeting.

Solicitor Chuck Pascal in an email to Ford City Borough Solicitor Frank Wolfe referred to the removal of the street light as a “small, petty, and otherwise inane vendettas.”

“Given that the Authority has legitimate security issues, governed by law, and that this was done without notice to or discussion with the authority, this seems to be just the latest example in a string of irresponsible actions taken by (less than a majority of) council members in pursuit of their quirky, silly, unexplainable personal or political agendas,” Pascal said.

Engineer  David Nichols, which serves as consulting engineer to both the Sewage Authority and Borough Council, attempted to explain the situation.

“The lighting grid was determined last summer,” Nichols said, referencing a master plan between council and Allegheny Power to update and change lighting in the borough.

Smerick agreed with Nichols. “There were a number of lights that were removed that morning. We were not the only ones. The positive thing was we now have installed a new mercury vapor energy-efficient light.” 

According to Nichols, the federal agency of Homeland Security dictates specific levels of security for municipal-operated plants that include a lighted facility and alarm systems.