February’s Top Agenda Items
- Forward Township will pay more for police, but keeps coverage through 2030
- Part-time road crew hire approved without posting the job
- Parkway bridge closure will affect commuters for 25 days
Forward will pay more for police, but locks in two more years of coverage
Forward approved an increase to its existing police contract with Elizabeth Township during a contentious Feb. 9 meeting that drew a packed audience of residents.
The contract amendment was added to the agenda during the meeting rather than appearing on the agenda posted online, prompting criticism from Supervisor Dave Levdansky and residents who said the public had insufficient time to review a $250,000 commitment.
Board Chair Thomas DeRosa opened the meeting by explaining the history of the agreement and that he had spent six months negotiating the contract change.
Forward has contracted with Elizabeth Township to provide 24/7 police coverage for an annual fee of between $375,000 to $450,000, expiring in 2028. DeRosa described the rates as well below market value. The amendment adds approximately $250,000 in supplemental payments spread over four years and extends the contract through 2030.
Adam Musisko, vice president of the Elizabeth Township Board of Commissioners, explained that Elizabeth has absorbed about $250,000 per year in losses under the contract and that although it was not asking to be "made whole" for the past gap, it needs Forward to contribute more in order to continue to provide coverage. Musisko said Elizabeth Township is expecting to face higher police salaries in an upcoming police contract. Elizabeth Township officials just want to know whether to retain enough officers to provide police coverage for Forward.
Levdansky voted “no” and raised concerns about transparency and oversight. He said the decision should be tabled for one month to allow legal review and suggested adding clearer accountability measures, including GPS monitoring to ensure officers remain within township boundaries while on duty.
Levdansky also said negotiations had been underway since July without knowledge of the rest of the board until December.
Supervisor Amy Cline voted “yes” and said hiring paying Elizabeth Township for police services was more cost-effective than restarting Forward’s own police department. “When you look at what it would cost us to have the cars, the building, the benefits, and the staffing,” she said, “we are there, if not saving money.”
Several residents spoke in favor of maintaining Elizabeth Township police coverage, citing fast response times and positive experiences with officers.
Part-time road crew hire approved without posting the job
The board voted 2-0 to hire Mark Stewart as a part-time road crew employee, with Levdansky abstaining.
DeRosa said the situation was too urgent to advertise the job and accept other applicants because one of the township’s two full-time road crew workers plans to leave at the end of February, and winter conditions require at least two workers available for snow response. Stewart has previously worked with the township on a fill-in basis.
Levdansky argued that any publicly funded position should go through an open hiring process. He said he first learned about the hire when the agenda was posted and did not know the pay rate, hours, or job terms before the vote.
DeRosa responded, “I haven’t decided yet.”
Levdansky then declared “democracy dies in darkness. That’s a dictator.”
Cline said replacing a departing full-time worker with a part-time employee would not affect the budget and emphasized the need to maintain staffing continuity during winter operations. Township Solicitor Matt Racunas noted the hire will require an amendment to the budget because the part-time position was not included in the approved 2026 budget.
Parkway bridge closure will affect commuters for 25 days
Cline announced that the Interstate 376/Commercial Street Bridge on the Parkway East in Pittsburgh will close for 25 days for construction.
While the bridge is not located directly within Forward Township, many residents rely on the route to commute toward Downtown Pittsburgh and nearby employment centers.
Cline said local emergency medical services agencies are coordinating routes to ensure that emergency access to Pittsburgh hospitals remains reliable during the closure. Flyers outlining detours were available at the meeting.
She encouraged residents to sign up for township alerts and to plan alternate routes ahead of construction.
PennDOT officials have recommended that regular parkway commuters work remotely, take public transportation, and “have all supplies you will need while waiting in heavy traffic (including snacks and water for your passengers, good music or an audiobook to listen to, comfortable clothing, sunglasses, and anything else that allows you to drive comfortably).”