East Vandergrift officials plan town hall meeting to gather input on projects
East Vandergrift officials are extending an invitation to residents for a town hall-style community gathering Tuesday evening.
The inaugural East Vandergrift Community Planning Session kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at the borough office, 254 Kennedy Ave.
The event is co-sponsored by the East Vandergrift Community Foundation and East Vandergrift Council.
Karen Virostek, president of EVCF, said the goal of the event is to unify borough residents and others interested in volunteering their time to improving East Vandergrift.
“Bring your thoughts and ideas. We want to learn about what individuals want to see happen in this community. We want to invite people that have a tie to the community, too. They don’t have to live here,” Virostek said.
Refreshments will be served and the event is open to all ages.
East Vandergrift is nestled along the Kiski River and is home to about 700 residents in Westmoreland County.
“I’d like to see more people get involved in the community and bring back some of the older days activities we used to have,” said Todd Veselicky, EVCF’s executive director and a lifelong East Vandergrift resident. “The foundation is really trying to work with the residents to be proactive and the foundation will work with the council, but there are things we want to do on our own. We’d like to get more suggestions from the residents.”
Organizers plan to host additional similar meetings.
“Anybody that can help us move things forward — we’re trying to move the borough forward and have it be a community for families,” Virostek said. “We would like everyone in attendance to share something and provide input.”
The informal discussion is expected to last less than two hours and will include a recap of recent borough accomplishments; current community projects; future plans for the borough; and hearing the needs, wants and concerns of residents.
Recently completed community impact projects include updates to streetlights, renovations to the East Vandergrift Museum and borough building, ongoing progress with the proposed Morning Sun Senior Lofts development and discussions regarding railroad safety and track cleanup with Norfolk Southern.
Borough consultant Bill Kerr of William Kerr Associates will facilitate the discussions.
Council President Chris Zelonka is hoping for a hearty turnout Tuesday.
“I hope that all residents take part and come to the meeting so we hear what they want for the future of our borough,” Zelonka said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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