By Bob Stiles
The Tribune-Review
SOUTH GREENSBURG, Pa. — South Greensburg’s assistant fire chief asked borough council Monday to reactivate the fire whistle at the borough building so all firefighters in the community are alerted to emergencies.
Eric Hardy explained to council that the current whistle at the borough maintenance building cannot be heard by all firefighters. If cutting grass or doing other noisy work, firefighters can’t hear emergency calls through other devices, such as pagers, he added.
Council shut off the whistle after receiving complaints from residents about noise.
Hardy said he doesn’t believe the 10 to 15 complainers should compromise safety for the community of about 2,200 people.
Later during the meeting, Councilman Frank Zalakar asked council to consider activating the whistle.
“I have to agree with them,” Zalakar said. “The fire department wants the whistle. They are volunteers. I think we should reconsider.”
Zalakar said he can’t hear the whistle from his home.
No other council members spoke about the whistle during the non-voting agenda meeting.
Councilman Clentin Martin Sr., also borough code enforcement officer, said the community needs to inform landlords that council adopted rental and college housing ordinances.
Martin explained that not all landlords are aware of the borough laws and what they need to do as a result.
“We’re going to have to do a mailing,” Martin said.
Councilwoman Margaret Hixson tendered her resignation, effective Aug. 13.
She is moving from the borough, according to her resignation letter.
Hardy further told council the fire department’s website is up and running, and he asked the panel to link the site to the borough’s website.
The address is southgreensburgfire.com.
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