Swissvale Council Revokes Peoples Gas Work Permits After Trees Die

Swissvale Neighbors/Friends,

THANK YOU to everyone who attended the Swissvale Borough Council meeting last night.

Several residents spoke to the concerns of our block; including miscommunication, lack of advance notice, personal property damage, and other concerns as well as the tree massacre.

The executive director of the Nine Mile Watershed Association, Brenda Smith, spoke on behalf of our trees and I feel will be an excellent "expert witness" with any assessments and/or replacements moving forward. The most interesting thing she shared (of which the Borough Council had NO knowledge) was that her organization had a meeting with 4 representatives of Peoples Natural Gas months BEFORE the proposed construction and brought this possible outcome to their attention. Apparently they told Nine Mile Watershed that they would take steps so that this wouldn't happen. The full Borough Council expressed grave concern at this.

Councilman Darrell Rapp has come forward as a strong advocate as well, personally delivering letters to the 4 houses on our block who are directly affected and meeting with us afterward to express his strong support. I quote him, "Peoples will be on a very short leash from now on". 

Council assured us that Peoples Natural Gas has had all of their work permits in Swissvale Borough revoked until a resolution is achieved so it is in their interests to make this right as well. (On that note, does anyone know: would it be standard for the subcontractors who are doing the actual work to have a clause in their contract that guarantees that they be paid daily no matter the political block?)

Have a very safe and happy 4th of July holiday. I thank you all again for your concern and your unwavering support.  The historic trees in our neighborhoods are priceless in their beauty and stately watch over us all.  

Best,

Noelle Badertscher