At its 1/5/26 meeting, council approved a one year contract with Whiskey Acres Animal Rescue and Sanctuary for animal control services. Whiskey Acres is a nonprofit organization with a no kill policy. If you have an animal issue, please contact the borough office (724-845-7359 or [email protected]) or borough garage (724-845-6903) and they will contact Whiskey Acres. The rescue only want contact from borough officials. Additionally, please check out their FB page to find ways to support Whiskey Acres. They are a nonprofit organization in need of our support.

For violent dogs or situations requiring an immediate response, please call 911 and they will direct the appropriate resources to the problem for an immediate response.
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The Westmoreland County dog warden is Jerome Shepler, 724-496-9421.

The borough has openings for the following volunteer positions. If you are interested in serving the community or have questions about a position, please email the secretary at [email protected].

1 Position on the Recreation Board- Responsible for assisting in the planning and execution of events in the borough.

1 Position as an Alternate in the Zoning Hearing Board- Responsible for hearing appeals to the Zoning Hearing Board when a regular member of the board is not available.

1 Position as the Vacancy Board chair- Responsible for helping appoint a new council member when an opening occurs and council is unable to agree on a new appointee. Typically a rarely utilized position.

​We are also still looking for volunteers to serve on the borough's anniversary committee.

Semper Gratus will once again host its Shamrock Shuffle 5k and 1 mile Family Fun Walk in the borough on 3/21/26. Please see the letter and map below for details affecting borough residents.

​**Not a borough sponsored event**

Among other things, council:

• Passed Resolution 1-2026 authorizing the fire department to partake in fundraising activities
• Passed Resolution 2-2026 increasing the fees for excavation permits in the borough to match inflation. (These fees are for excavations that take place in the borough streets and/or rights-of way).
• Set the 2026 council meetings for the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm.
• Discussed possible adoption of an ordinance regarding data centers.
• Approved Whiskey Acres Animal Rescue to act as the borough’s dog catcher.
• Discussed the borough’s search for a new auditor after our previous auditor retired from auditing municipalities.
• Discussed potential paving projects for 2026.
• Approved the 2026 Alle-Kiski Intergovernmental Council (AKIGC) Agreement

On Monday, 1/5/26 council held its reorganization meeting.

Mayor Steve Yenchi was sworn in for a new term along with councilmembers Marcia Cole, Christina Hosler, Joanne Gibson, and Robb Yasczak.
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Council nominated and approved the following officers:
President of Council: Marcia Cole
Vice President: Matt Grantz
President Pro Tem: Joanne Gibson
 
The following committee appointments were also made (first person listed is the chairperson):

• Public Works- Matt Grantz, Robb Yasczak, Joanne Gibson
• Parks and Recreation- Joanne Gibson, Christina Hosler, Colleen Hoover
• Buildings and Utilities- Robb Yasczak, Christina Hosler, Colleen Hoover
• Public Safety- Christina Hosler, Robb Yasczak, Morgan Swank
• Finance and Administration- Morgan Swank, Colleen Hoover, Matt Grantz

 
Following the reorganization meeting, council held its regular meeting for the month of January. A summary of the regular meeting will be posted in a follow up post later.

Council will hold both its reorganization meeting and its regular meeting for the month of January on 1/5/26.

Click here for the reorganization meeting agenda.
Click here for the regular meeting agenda.