Welcome to the Borough of Patterson Heights

Closure of the Borough Park (Updated 4/28)

You may have noticed that the Borough Park has been closed since March 27.  At that time the Mayor issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency, and closing the park for one week.  On April 3 the Borough Council held an emergency meeting to adopt a resolution extending the emergency, and closing the park indefinitely.

Many of our residents have been seen walking or jogging along the streets, and are encouraged to continue exercising and getting fresh air.  Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to keep the playground disinfected, and use of the basketball court and pavilion do not allow for proper social distancing.  

At the Council Meeting on April 15, our Police Chief was able to report that, despite a couple of early infractions, there have been no other people in the Park that they are aware of.  Thank you to the residents of the Heights.  It may not seem like much, but you're making a difference in fighting the virus.

The Park has now been closed for almost two full months, and our residents have done a great job in staying away.

Food Trucks Cancelled

The Patterson Heights Borough Council, out of concern for residents' safety, has decided to cancel the Food Trucks in the Park event scheduled for May 13.  Hopefully, the coronavirus situation will be resolved to the extent that we can resume this activity in June.

Yard Waste Pickup

Pickup is underway, but this year RESTRICTIONS WILL BE ENFORCED!!!!

Yard waste will be picked up every day as time is available.  Obviously, if there is a situation which requires the attention of our one public works employee, he may put off waste collection till the following day.  

Bags must not weigh more than 40 pounds!  Now Bryan does not have a scale on the borough truck, so if he deems that a bag is too heavy--it's too heavy, and will be left at the curb.  You may then take the yard waste to the county recycling center in Brady's Run Park, or re-package the material into two lighter bags.

Tangled piles of limbs, branches, sticks, and weeds WILL NOT BE PICKED UP!!!

Such material should be bundled and tied.  Bundles should not be more than four feet in length--or they will be left at the curb.

If you have any questions about what yard waste is acceptable for disposal, call the borough office, or stop Bryan as you see him driving down your street, and ask.

The  Director of the Beaver County Bureau of Elections has sent a letter to all Judges of Elections regarding training and special supplies which they will make available for the primary election on June 2.

The Bureau has purchased masks, gloves, and sanitizing spray (for use by the election workers, presumably).  They will provide signs for social distancing and the wearing of masks.  They will provide blue painters tape for marking the floor where voters are to stand.  They are planning to place an article in the Times before the election instructing voters to bring their own pens and masks.

We already have plenty of donated pens.  It is doubtful that we will be able to supply masks to all voters, however, so they should bring one from home.  I also recommend you bring your own gloves, and please, no children.  While we enjoy seeing the kids, and like for them to get a taste of civic responsibility, this will be a good time to leave them at home, if possible.

The Election Team was scheduled for training the second week of May.  Unfortunately, the training space is limited to 25 people, so only the Judges of Elections will attend.  

One major change in this election is the use of mail-in ballots.  Pennsylvania has previously permitted absentee ballots, where the voter can vote by mail for a valid reason.  Absentee ballots may still be used, but the new "mail-in" ballots do not require a reason for not voting in person.  

IMPORTANT -- If you use a mail-in or absentee ballot, you will not be given a regular ballot on Election Day.  If the Election Bureau has you flagged as having requested a mail-in ballot, you can only complete a Provisional Ballot, which will be counted if a mail-in ballot is not received by the County.  

With the coronavirus situation no dates are written in stone, but we plan to have the voting machines in place as usual in the Municipal Building, with the polls open o June 2 from 7am until 8pm.  We will once again be using paper ballots and scanners.

WARNING

Due to the requirements of social distancing, it is likely that there will be some delay inside the building.  Please be prepared to wait for a few minutes.  In addition, CHILDREN WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ABOVE THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING!

If you are planning to use a mail-in or absentee ballot, you can request one at VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot.  You must apply for your ballot by May 26, and your ballot must be returned to the Bureau of Elections by June 2.  

It may be a good idea for everyone to utilize the mail-in method, at least in this election.

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.