Welcome to the Borough of Patterson Heights

Despite working in difficult conditions due to the coronavirus, our Election Team did an excellent job.  As is the case with most polling places in the United States, we have a "veteran" group, as you might expect, when one of the qualifications is the ability to work a 14+ hour day.  Much thanks to Sue Philipp, Linda Kunzmann, Fran Levinger, and Lynn Doyle.  This year, as we needed to be more restrictive of voters' positioning, additional volunteers stepped forward, including Nadine Galbreath, Peter Burgess, Ray Young, Pradeep Kumar, Nancy Tyger, Kelly Manning, Andy Briggs, Bryan Landman, and Charlie West.

More than 86% of the eligible voters in Patterson Heights participated in the election, with about 62% of all voters choosing President Trump.  Republican candidates won every contest in Patterson Heights, and there was a minimum of ticket-splitting.  Representative Jim Marshall had the highest total with over 68%. 

Most development is regulated under two different codes--a zoning code and a building code.  Receiving a Zoning Permit is the first step in the development process, followed by applying for and receiving a Building Permit.  In Patterson Heights a separate Zoning Permit is required prior to application for a Building Permit.

Zoning Code is oriented towards how a project fits into the community.  It regulates setbacks, types of uses, height, parking requirements, design (for some types of projects), and similar  concerns.  Patterson Heights is divided into zoning districts, and each zoning district has its own set of regulations.  For example, the regulations that would apply in a residential district (R) will be different from those in a multi-family (MDO) or commercial (C) district. 

Current Status of the Borough Park (As of 11/7/2020)

The Park is open, and should remain so until at least the Spring, depending, of course, on the pace of the coronavirus.

It has been noticed that the large slide in the southwest corner of the playground has some cracks in the plastic.  We are investigating the cost of repair/replacement, and request that larger children leave the playground equipment for the smaller ones.

The caution tape is designed to keep children off the equipment until it can be repaired.

New Equipment!

Our new leaf vacuum worked very well, with the "Leaf Crew" being able to complete their mission in much less time this year.  Their increased efficiency was due in large part to not having to repair equipment to keep it operating.  The new dump truck is still on schedule to be delivered in 2021.

Remember that this new equipment has been ordered with funds received from a Pennsylvaia Recycling Grant available in large part because our residents recycle their yard waste, paper, and cardboard, and mixed plastics.

Paper Recycling Box

Despite many efforts to educate our residents about what can be placed in the box, someone is still discarding plastic cat litter containers and trash bags full of garbage.  We have upgraded our security camera system, and if you are caught dumping illegally, the police will be called, you will be cited, and taken before he magistrate.

When will the Borough pick up the tree in my yard that got damaged in the last storm?  Patterson Heights will pick up normal yard waste, such as leaves, twigs, sticks, grass, basically any plant material that can fit into one of the yard waste bags sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, or Costco.  Limbs and larger portions of trees are the responsibility of the homeowner for disposal.

How much can I put in each bag?  Recently, several residents have overloaded their bags and found them left by the side of the road.  Borough Council has instructed Bryan not to pick up any bags in excess of 40 pounds.

When will leaves be picked up?  According to our current schedule, leaves will be picked up starting in the fall (watch for an announcement), and continue until about the first week of December.  No loose leaves will be picked up in the Spring or Summer.  At those times, the leaves must be bagged.

What days are the bags picked up?  The bags will be picked up Monday through Friday, as Bryan has time.  If he is working on road resurfacing or repairing a catch basin, he will not be picking up yard waste.

What can I put in the yard waste bags?  You can put up to 40 pounds of plant waste material that grew in your yard--including trimmings, weeds, grass, twigs, small (thin) branches, and garden clean-up.

What CAN'T I put in the yard waste bags?  Large, thick branches, lumber, plastic (including the square or round pots which came from the garden supply store), cans, bottles, glass, or animal waste.

Where can I get the bags?  Home Depot, Lowe's, hardware stores, Costco, just about anywhere they sell lawn care products.  Just be sure that the bags are made of heavy paper, not plastic.  Plastic bags WILL NOT BE PICKED UP!

What about sticks and twigs?  Can they be bundled?  Yes, sticks and twigs can be gathered into SMALL bundles, and tied with cotton string or rope to hold them together.  The individual pieces, and thus the bundle, can be no longer than four feet.

After cleaning up a large area of my backyard, I ended up with a large pile of tangled branches, weeds, and vines.  What can I do with it?  The Borough will not pick up piles like this (and they appear every year).  You can either break it down into pieces small enough to fit into bags, or pay somebody to do it for you.  

More questions will be added.  If you have a question that is not answered, call the Borough Office at 724-846-0677.

Our paper recycling box, located behind the Municipal Building, is emptied about every two months.  Each full box holds between 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 tons of paper, so we are recycling a lot of paper! 

The corrugated cardboard is picked up each Thursday.

Unfortunately, we still see lots of cardboard left out for the trash on Monday mornings!  

Bring your paper and cardboard down to the collection bins behind the Municipal Building.  Why?  See the item about the grant we received for a new leaf vac.

  The Ladies' Auxiliary organizes programs, fundraisers, and other activities for the benefit of the residents and fire fighters of Patterson Heights.  The Auxiliary meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Borough Building.  If you have not yet joined, the Auxiliary invites you to come, and would love to have you as a member.  Contact Fran Levinger (724) 513-8085 or Sue Pokego (724) 846-0186. 

If you are interested in being alerted in the case of an emergency (like the chlorine gas leak in Rochester on July 12), start by going to the Beaver County website (www.beavercountypa.gov).  

On the right side of the page, about halfway down, there is a link to "Swift 911 - Emergency Notification Services."

Click on that box, and you will be taken to a portal where you can sign up to receive emergency alerts.

Please be sure you are not placing trash containers in the street in front of, or near, your house.  We have ordinances which prohibit the placing of containers near the street before noon on Sunday, but they should NEVER be in the street--mainly due to public safety.

The Borough Council has been made aware of questionable activities in the Park, and the burning of noxious materials at night.  The Council does not object to people bringing forth these issues, but the first question to be asked is, "Did you call the Police?"  

The Patterson Township Police Department is on duty 24 hours per day, but they are unable to help in situations when they are not called.  Reaching them is very easy.  If you have what you think might be an emergency, dial 9-1-1.  Otherwise, you can leave a message with County Dispatch at (724) 775-0883, and an officer will contact you very soon.  Don't be afraid to call the Police--you won't be judged, and you won't be charged ($).  Call.  That's the only way they can help you. 

Wednesday, January 20, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 17, 7 p.m. 

Regular Council meetings are held in the Borough Building, with members conforming to CDC guidlelines regarding distancing and masks.  While Patterson Heights residents' input is always appreciated, for now you may want to submit comments or questions in writing, or speak with a member to bring your issue before the Council.

Not surprisingly, Duquesne Light does not monitor our street lights to make sure they stay in working condition.  It is up to us to alert them to the need for repair.

You can do this yourself, if you like, by calling Duquesne Light at 888-393-7100, or by contacting the borough office.  If you call Duquesne Light they will want to know the location of the light, and the number(s) on the pole.  Some poles have as many as three numbers, some only have one.

The Patterson Heights Historical Committee, comprised of Phyllis Aluseo and Carol Wagner, has placed a number of items in a case in the corner of the meeting room of the Borough Building.  Patterson Heights has been here since 1899, and has a rich history.

Stop by the Borough Office (open most weekdays between 10 and 2, or whenever a white Honda CR-V is in the lot) to take a look.  Hopefully, the case will be accessible on election days, and during other gatherings.  Anyone having Patterson Heights memorabilia is encouraged to call Phyllis at (724) 846-3937.

Do you like the updated website?  Do you hate the updated site?  Do you have any suggestions for improvements?  We are working to add more features, but don't wait.  Let us know if there is something you would like to see on the Patterson Heights site.  Our email link is at the bottom of the page.