Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Dormont public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
2027 Recreation Calendar
The borough's big kids event is March 28 at 11 a.m., with a sensory-friendly hunt at 10:30. Football players and firefighters are volunteering, and this year prizes will be raffled at 11:30 so winners are announced on site instead of matched later from sign-in sheets.
Rec board staffing transition
The board still has two open seats. Outreach posts haven't generated applicants, so members are asked to personally refer anyone who might be interested — applications are on the borough website.
Cookies with Santa 2026
The annual Cookies with Santa event on December 5 will move into the church basement alongside Home for the Holidays vendors, with cookie decorating kept. Residents will find Santa and decorating in the Home Room after the parade.
Home for the Holidays tree lighting
The popular holiday lights contest returns with plans for about 100 reusable yard signs — roughly double last year — after many residents missed the signup. A municipal building pickup-and-return system is proposed to make scaling easier.
Borough email and communications access for rec board
The board lacks access to the Gmail listed on its Facebook page and asked the borough to set up an official rec board email so communications are streamlined and archived.
Penrose project opposition
The borough is one vote away from entering exclusive talks with PRT and developer Pennrose about redeveloping land near Dormont Station. Nothing is approved yet — the six-to-24-month negotiating window includes public engagement, and any real project would need a future council vote.
2027 Borough Budget
The 2027 budget is heading to its required 30-day public display after capital review meetings wrapped up. The final vote comes at the November meeting.
Business district parking overhaul
Council is reviewing parking needs with an eye toward 2027 solutions, and has begun discussing renewing the Dormont Village parking lot contract and its meter vendor contract.
Next Generation Playground Phase 1 construction
The big playground rebuild at Dormont Park is moving on two fronts: a construction RFP for Phase 1 that isn't finished yet, and a $168,553 pavilion purchase for Phase 2 through a state grant that requires work within a year. Council wants the full RFP in hand before advertising it.
Firefighter working schedules MOU
The union agreement would move firefighters to 24-hours-on/72-hours-off shifts — but it's on hold a month while Chief Stakich reviews it and its budget impact.
Proposed PRT/developer 180-unit apartment development
Residents flooded public comment with concerns about a proposed 180-unit apartment building where a parking lot sits on West Liberty Avenue — parking, sewer capacity, traffic studies, and school enrollment were all raised. Council President Downs stressed no plan is formally before council yet; the borough is still drafting its list of developer requirements.
Paving program wrap-up
Felino will mill streets this week and lay base and wearing courses next week; the 2026 paving program should be done within two weeks.
Sale of 2008 Sutphen fire pumper
The borough's old fire engine is being sold to Powhatan County, Virginia for $120,000, and the buyer wants it fast — so council converted the sale approval into a ratifying resolution.
2026 Road Program and sidewalk complications
The borough is switching to a five-year road program based on a full pavement survey by Pavement Management Group, instead of planning roads year by year in the fall. The goal is to coordinate paving with utility work so fresh pavement isn't cut up right away. Pavement Management Group will answer questions about road grades on January 26.
Kelton/Eastmont/KO High School intersection safety
The roughly $124,000 Kelton/Eastmont intersection redesign is in a holding pattern pending cost estimates and possible cost-sharing with the school district.
Speed data reliability and speed-display bias
Police speed data across three streets shows almost no serious speeding, but commission members worry the visible speed display makes drivers slow down — meaning the data may not reflect normal driving. They floated buying a small independent counter to check the police collector's numbers.
Active Transportation Plan intersection picks
The Safe Mobility Commission flagged three dangerous intersections — Dwight-Hillsdale-Kelton as top priority — for safety improvements that will be costed with Mt. Lebanon's partner project. Designs and estimates come before council before the July vote.
Dormont Junction TOD and social media misinformation
Residents are pressing for a school district capacity audit before the 183-unit Dormont Junction project proceeds, citing impacts on Keystone Oaks schools and property owners. Council is negotiating an agreement with the developer and Port Authority, and a resident asked that it be public before signing.
Potomac Avenue Street Light Replacement
The borough's existing Potomac Avenue lights are out of production with no parts left, so a replacement decision is coming one way or another. A cheap quote through the Act 129 rebate program drew aesthetic objections, and members want to look at other options — possibly with grant help — before committing.
Municipal building aging HVAC
The roof AC units are 22 years old and replacement costs doubled to about $29,000 per unit. Council leaned toward setting aside $30,000 from the loan rather than hoping they hold.
Braig Snyder ballfield future after school district pulls access
DABA can no longer use the Dormont Elementary field, so the borough is weighing a quick $10–15,000 fix of the Braig Snyder T-ball field or applying for a Pittsburgh Pirates matching grant for a full Dura Edge conversion (up to $50,000 with the match).
2027 Road Program and Salt Costs
Rock salt for 2026-27 will cost $160 per ton through the SHACOG bid — roughly twice last year — and the manager warned of more price shocks to come in the budget.
Playground security cameras
$20,000 to wire the new playground with camera feeds down to the police station — seen as cheap insurance while the ground is already open.
Pool filtration system lifespan
$10,000 for a feasibility study plus new actuator valves should buy the borough about five more years to plan a full filtration room replacement.
Health insurance and cost increases
Highmark rates rose 19% and UPMC 7%, and most employees (including the manager) are on AHN/Highmark. Fuel lines were bumped $5,000 per department and rock salt prices doubled.
Road program underfunding
The borough is paving Crosby Avenue, two sections of Tennessee Avenue, several alleys, and one added street alternate for about $596,000.
Illegal gambling machines enforcement
Council President Downs flagged that some vape shops stay afloat on skill games, and the borough plans to tackle that separately later this month. The borough manager said a rewritten fee schedule may raise fees on gaming machines in establishments.
Free tax assistance site proposal
Just Harvest could run a free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site — including bilingual service — in the borough building's community room from January to April 2027, the first of its kind in the South Hills. Council is sorting out conflicts with groups that already use the space.
Borough Pension Advisory Committee
A new committee will oversee employee pension and retirement plans, with nine members including two seats each concept tied to Parks and Public Works. Edits are still being made before it goes to council.
Borough Voting Meeting Agenda
Dormont's voting meeting is tonight at 7 PM, and borough officials are making one thing clear: there is no vote or discussion on a TOD project. If you saw rumors online, ignore them—the agenda doesn't include it.
TriCOG Land Bank participation
Council heard a presentation on joining the TriCOG Land Bank to tackle blighted and abandoned properties, with discussions planned with the school district and other parties.
Comprehensive Recreation and Park Plan extension
The borough's state-funded recreation plan ran out of time and is getting an extension request; it will stay on the agenda through year's end.
Act 129 energy-efficiency purchase
Borough is buying about $10,560 in LED fixtures for Pop Murray Field and the tennis courts through a state rebate program, adding to lights already approved for three buildings. Big savings on electricity and equipment.
Reallocating road program funds after the Crosby Avenue hold
About $150,000 freed by holding work on the 2800 block of Crosby could fund alternate streets plus half-paving on Dwight, Dormont, and Annapolis avenues — but not all of it. The engineer suggested dropping 6th and 9th Alleys to stay in budget. Council flagged concerns about paving near the Annapolis Avenue school during school hours.
Commission Vacancies and Recruitment
The commission is losing a member, and the borough has openings on several boards. A new application process is in place, and PA child abuse clearances are now required for all volunteers.
Crossing guard staffing
Two new crossing guards — Marcus Springmann and Steve Christy — are being hired, keeping the program fully staffed as it trains and evaluates school-year crossing locations.
Dormont Street and Music Festival 2026
The festival is on track with stage production, sponsors, safety planning, and vendor logistics all set. Volunteers are still needed — applications are on the borough website.
Condolence Resolution for Dr. Richard D. Grubb
Council will formally honor former council member Dr. Richard Grubb, who served 15 years and spent 30 years as a school psychologist helping kids with special needs.
Recreation Plan Grant Extension and Pashek MTR Award
Dormont has DCNR grant money for a recreation plan but the clock is running out. A state-recommended RFP waiver would let the borough hire Pashek MTR directly and extend the grant one year.
Food insecurity and Hunger Action Month
Council proclaimed September as Hunger Action Month, citing 16% local food insecurity and SNAP cuts affecting 218,000 Pennsylvanians. The Dormont Free Pantry served a record 95 households in one week and needs volunteers.
Council Voting Meeting
Dormont Council meets tonight at 7 to vote through its agenda, and you can show up or watch online. The source doesn’t list the items, so the real impact depends on what’s on the table—but council votes can shape local services, spending, and rules. If you care about any of that, this is the moment to tune in.
2027 Pension Funding Obligations Set
Council approved the minimum municipal obligations for both police and non-police pensions for 2027 — part of the borough's required retirement funding.
New finance director hired
Cynthia Stevens starts as finance director October 12, filling a key post just as the borough begins putting together next year's budget.
Bond financing groundwork for capital projects
Council cleaned up the Brentwood Bank loan language and hired bond counsel and an investment banker — the pieces being put in place to borrow for upcoming big-ticket capital projects.
PA American Water lead line replacement
PA American Water will replace lead service lines at 575 Dormont homes for free — but only for owners who sign the agreement. If the company can't reach you after three attempts, it can suspend your service until it returns. Three of four census tracts (4721, 4722, 4723) are affected, mostly the western/northwestern side of the borough, and the work will reshape next year's road program.
Vape shop regulation ordinance
A draft ordinance would make new vape shops conditional uses needing Planning Commission approval, keep them out of the transit-oriented district, and require 1,000 feet of separation from existing shops. Residents and commissioners worry about vape shop density on the commercial strip and want loopholes closed before council acts.
Public Hearing and Special Voting Meeting
Dormont Borough Council is holding a public hearing and special voting meeting Monday, August 24 at 5:30 PM to amend a bill — and they're voting the same night. If you've got opinions, this is the window to say them out loud before the vote happens.
Bond financing for capital projects
Council is laying groundwork to possibly borrow for pool, playground, streetscape and stormwater projects. President Downs wanted to hold off until council actually debates a bond; the attorney's explanation bought enough comfort to move it to September.
Dormont Volunteer Fire Department recruitment
Three new volunteers are ready to join, and the annual $25,000 contribution to the firemen's association continues — money that goes straight back to the volunteers as stipends and reimbursements.
Council Meeting
Dormont Council’s supercommittee meets Monday, Aug. 24 at 6 PM, right after a public hearing and special voting meeting. If you care what’s on the table, the borough says to check the full agenda online. It’s a procedural meeting notice, so the real impact depends on what the agenda actually contains.