January 2014 Newsletter

Ebensburg Welcomes New Businesses

The January 2014 edition of the Ebensburg Bulletin highlights several new and existing businesses in the borough:

• POUR on Center: Located at 102 S. Center Street (472-4601).
• B & B Floral: Located at 206 E. High Street (472-5900).
• CrossFit Ebensburg: Located at 437 S. Center Street (341-5932).
• Amber Hills at Cambria Care Center: Located at 429 Manor Drive (472-8100).

Mylo Park Welcome Sign

New welcome signs have been installed at the Lake Rowena and Mylo Park entrances to town, provided by the Ebensburg Rotary Club. The borough is seeking contributions from other organizations or businesses to fund additional entrance signs, particularly for South Center Street and North Center Street.

Water, Sewer, Garbage Bill Payments

Residents have several convenient methods to pay bi-monthly utility bills:

• Automatic Drafting: Bills can be drafted automatically from a checking account. Forms are available at the borough office or online at www. ebensburgpa. com.
• Credit Card: Payments can be made online or at the office.
• Email Billing: A new feature allows residents to receive their water/sewer bill by email. Requests should be sent to Rose Myers at rmyers@ebensburgpa. com.

Garage Sale Signs

Borough Council has adopted a new ordinance to limit the number of garage sale signs posted around town.

• Permits: Permits are free and must be obtained from the borough office before holding a sale.
• Rules: Paper and cardboard signs are stapled to telephone poles and sign posts during summer months. They must be removed after the sale; fines are enforced for non-compliance.

Water System Project Update

The $5. 1 million water system improvement project is now complete. Key upgrades include:

• New distribution mains near Mylo Park, Crestwood Estates, and the southeast corner of Ebensburg.
• A new backwash tank at the water treatment plant.
• Major upgrades to the plant’s filtering system and new control valves throughout the system. The project caused some dirty water and service interruptions, for which the borough thanks residents for their patience.

New Water Meters

Installation of new water meters and radio-read sensors is complete for nearly all customers. The new system allows the borough to read meters remotely and detect potential leaks by identifying unusual flow increases.

Crosswalk Enforcement

Ebensburg is launching a public awareness campaign to improve pedestrian safety. Pennsylvania law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but enforcement has been lax. New signs are being installed at all crosswalks to remind motorists of the law, and the police department will step up enforcement.

Sewer Smoke Testing

Smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system will continue in 2014, focusing on the eastern section of the borough.

• Safety: The gray smoke is non-toxic, non-staining, odorless, and creates no fire hazard.
• Preparation: Residents should pour a gallon of water into each drain prior to testing to prevent smoke from entering homes due to dried traps.
• Action: If smoke enters a home, residents should notify work crews immediately. Property owners who received violation notices for illegal connections must correct the problem immediately to avoid civil action.

Council Adopts Annual Budget

Borough Council adopted the 2014 budget in November with no increase in taxes or water/sewer rates. There was a small increase in the garbage fee to match contractual adjustments.

• Tax Breakdown: The average taxpayer pays approximately $225 (13 mills) per year for borough services, which represents only 14% of the total property tax bill. The remaining taxes go to county government (30%) and the local school district (56%).
• New Council Members: Joe Miller and Theresa Jacoby have begun new terms on Borough Council. Doug Tusing was reelected as Council President for a 4-year term. Terry Illig and Deb Nesbella, who served for 12 and 16 years respectively, did not seek reelection.

Ebensburg Borough Pool Rates

The pool opens on May 24, 2014. Hours are Monday–Saturday from 12:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. , and Sunday from 12:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m.

Resident Rates (2014 Fees):

• Individual (19–64 yrs): $120. 00
• Individual - Child/Senior (4–18 yrs / 65+ yrs): $100. 00
• 2 Person Pass: $160. 00
• 3 Person Pass: $185. 00
• 4 Person Pass: $205. 00
• 5 Person Pass: $225. 00
• Additional Dependents: $20. 00
• Nanny/Babysitter: $25. 00

Non-Resident Rates (2014 Fees):

• Individual (19–64 yrs): $150. 00
• Individual - Child/Senior (4–18 yrs / 65+ yrs): $130. 00
• 2 Person Pass: $185. 00
• 3 Person Pass: $205. 00
• 4 Person Pass: $225. 00
• 5 Person Pass: $245. 00
• Additional Dependents: $20. 00
• Nanny/Babysitter: $25. 00

Daily Admission Rates:

• Adult (19–64 yrs): $6. 00
• Child (4–18 yrs): $4. 00
• Senior (65+ yrs): $4. 00
• Twilight (After 6:00 PM): $4. 00

Ebensburg Community Events

• Wine Time in the Mainline: Feb 22, 1pm–4pm & 5pm–8pm at Young Peoples Community Center.
• Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday, 9am–12pm, July–Sept 20th at Penn Eben Park.
• 16th Annual ‘Art in Bloom’ Spring Art Show: April 26–27 at Cambria County Courthouse.
• Concerts in the Park: Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 6pm–9pm at Penn Eben Park.
• HeartChase: April 26, 9am–11am at Young Peoples Community Center.
• Cambria County Fair: Aug 31–Sept 6 at Cambria County Fairgrounds.
• 10th Annual ‘Wheels & Wings’: June 26, 5pm–10pm in Downtown Ebensburg.
• 23rd Annual PotatoFest: Sept 27, 9am–5pm in Downtown Ebensburg.
• Downtown Shutdown: July 25, 6pm–11pm in Center of Downtown Ebensburg.
• Ebensburg Homecoming: July 26, ALL DAY at Ebensburg Area & Lake Rowena.
• 5th Annual Ebensburg Turkey Trot: Nov 27 at Ebensburg Area Running Club.
• 9th Annual Dickens of a Christmas: Dec 5–7 in Downtown Ebensburg.

For volunteering information, call 472-8414 or visit www. ebensburgmainstreet. com.