Fox Chapel officials approved a one-year extension of their public works contract, solidifying terms with its nine full-time laborers through the end of 2026.

The original deal was from Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2025.

The vote to extend the contract was 6-0 on Jan. 20. Council vice president Harrison Lauer was absent.

Borough manager Gary Koehler said its other terms remained the same, including a 3.5% salary increase next year.

Public works Director Larry Kurpakus said his workers were in favor of the extension.

“I’m happy about the fact they got their contract passed, and we’ll move on to next year,” Kurpakus said. “I think coming up on a new contract and contract year with everything going on with the borough, it just made sense to get an extension to get us into next year.

“There were no concerns by the public works department as far as a change in the contract. An extension makes sense. We get top-notch support (from the borough). We have everything we need to get our job done.”

Koehler said the extension was prudent so the borough could focus on the police department contract, which is set to expire at the end of this year.

Neither department is represented by a union.

“We felt it was a timing issue,” Koehler said. “To try to negotiate two contracts at the same time is difficult, time consuming.”

He thanked the public works department for agreeing to the extension and for its efforts to keep the borough clean and systems functioning.

“They do an excellent job and are more than willing to serve the residents in whatever capacity is needed,” Koehler said. “There are little to no issues. They are stellar employees.”

Council members at the meeting also commended the public works department for their snow clearing efforts this month.

Public works is responsible for cleaning snow-covered roads, maintaining parks and sewer lines, clearing catch basins and many other tasks.

The department completed a 2,900-foot sewer line upgrade last year and have a 2,000-foot upgrade planned for this year, which included converting an 8-inch line to a 10-inch line and addressing manholes. Both projects are designed to reduce infiltration and overflows.

In other business

• Council approved the purchase of a 2026 International HV507 chassis from Hill International Trucks NA for $123,462.

The transaction is through the state’s COSTARS purchasing program, which guarantees municipalities the best price on goods.

Council also authorized the purchase of a $99,000 uplift package for the chassis from Stephenson Equipment via COSTARS.

Kurpakus said total package is a 10-ton, single-axle salt truck including hydraulics, hitch, spreader and plow.

“It’s a replacement vehicle,” he said. “It will take one out of service next year and put this one in service hopefully for winter.”

• Council appointed Thomas Murphy and Peggy Jayme to the environmental advisory council for three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2027.

• James Royston was appointed to the planning commission for a four-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2028.

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