AMBRIDGE BOROUGH RECEIVES 2018 GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE Image Credit : Ambridge Borough Facebook
Councilwoman Janet Caldarelli, chair of the Borough’s Code Enforcement Committee, announced at the regularly scheduled meeting of Borough Council on April 10th that the Borough of Ambridge has been awarded the 2018 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in the Fiscal Accountability and Best Management Practices category for Ambridge’s efforts to create and implement its new Fire Department staffed Code Enforcement Program.
AMBRIDGE BOROUGH RECEIVES 2018 GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE Image Credit : Ambridge Borough Facebook Ambridge’s new Fire Department Code Enforcement Program was established 2017 by Ambridge Borough Council when it replaced the vacancy of the full-time Code Enforcement Officer position with a unique program that transferred all code enforcement duties to the Ambridge Fire Department. This program has saved tax dollars, doubled the staffing of our career fire department (combination department, both paid and volunteer), and increased the efficiency and service hours of our department to cover operations while the majority of our volunteer firefighters are at work. The Code Program has been successful in fighting blight, bringing many properties into compliance with the Property Maintenance Code, reestablished Commercial Fire Inspections, and inspected rental properties within the Borough. This program is a best management practice that not only saved taxpayers considerable funds, but also was a unique way to increase departmental efficiency and operations while returning on the investment a proactive way to approach code enforcement and the shortage of volunteer firefighters. The results of this program have been a safer, cleaner and healthier community.
On Wednesday, April 11th; the Ambridge Code Enforcement Committee that is made up of Council members Janet Caldarelli, Tina Iorfido-Miller and Bob Dunn; along with President of Council Michael A. Mikulich, Borough Manager Joe Kauer, Fire Chief Robert Gottschalk and Assistant Fire Chief Donald Larrick, Jr., will travel to Harrisburg to receive the award on behalf of the community at the official Local Government Day Awards Ceremony at the Governor’s Residence.
In 2017, this new program was fully implemented. Council hired and trained three new part-time firefighters / code enforcement officers (Eric Dunmyer, Robert Charlovich, and Larry Charlton) as well as promoted Firefighter David Gorecki to Captain. The Firefighter / Code Officers investigated and issued 805 Ordinance Violation Notices, continued uniform reimplementation of the Rental Operating License and Inspection Program. Firefighters inspected 444 rental units and 52 properties were cited for not complying with the 2017-18 program. They also partnered with Beaver County Community Development to demolish seven (7) blighted and condemned buildings throughout town. In addition the staff reestablished commercial Fire Inspections and responded to 366 emergency calls.
On Wednesday, April 11th; the Ambridge Code Enforcement Committee that is made up of Council members Janet Caldarelli, Tina Iorfido-Miller and Bob Dunn; along with President of Council Michael A. Mikulich, Borough Manager Joe Kauer, Fire Chief Robert Gottschalk and Assistant Fire Chief Donald Larrick, Jr., will travel to Harrisburg to receive the award on behalf of the community at the official Local Government Day Awards Ceremony at the Governor’s Residence.
In 2017, this new program was fully implemented. Council hired and trained three new part-time firefighters / code enforcement officers (Eric Dunmyer, Robert Charlovich, and Larry Charlton) as well as promoted Firefighter David Gorecki to Captain. The Firefighter / Code Officers investigated and issued 805 Ordinance Violation Notices, continued uniform reimplementation of the Rental Operating License and Inspection Program. Firefighters inspected 444 rental units and 52 properties were cited for not complying with the 2017-18 program. They also partnered with Beaver County Community Development to demolish seven (7) blighted and condemned buildings throughout town. In addition the staff reestablished commercial Fire Inspections and responded to 366 emergency calls.
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