Residents Complain of Power Outages

Some residents feel they’re being left in the dark by Duquesne Light because of lengthy power outages that are hitting some sections of the borough.

Dolly Kosol told borough council that she was without power for at least four hours Sunday night and has experienced similar problems over the past few years. During , she asked why only certain pockets of the borough -- like her area at Third and West Railroad streets -- are losing power and what could be done to fix the problems.

“This happens a lot,” Kosol said. “It seems like it’s the same part of Heidelberg that always goes out.”

said five or six outages have occurred over the past two years and thinks it might be due to a sliding hillside near Old Greentree Road in Scott. He said any wind or rain in that area seems to cause problems.

Joseph Vallarian, a spokesman for Duquesne Light, had not heard of any ongoing problems in Heidelberg and could not say why there have been several outages. He said residents should contact the company’s customer service center at 412-393-7100 and talk to a representative about the problems.

“They’re going to have to let us know about it, because there’s no other way we can know,” Vallarian said.

Council Vice President Al Kosol suggested residents do exactly that or contact the state Public Utility Commission if problems persist. He said the borough might want to work with Scott Township officials to make sure the problem is corrected.

“If it affecting a lot of people in Heidelberg,” Al Kosol said. “They need to spend the money and (fix) it.”

Also during the meeting…

• The borough announced that it has received a state grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to help with police training, expanded patrols and new equipment. The $11,400 grant is the fourth-consecutive PLCB grant the borough has received.

• Residents can review the on the borough’s website. Residents should click on the “News and Events” page to see the new plan that will complement the Tri-Community Streetscape project.

• The borough’s annual Night of Lights is scheduled for Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ellsworth Park.

• Heidelberg and are working on an “agility agreement” that would allow the state to pave Peach Way and Coal Street in exchange for various favors by the borough’s public works crew.

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