THE SEARCH IS ON Residents want a lot of things in the next municipal manager, but chief among them are: Someone who wants to stay in the position for the long haul; someone who can cooperate with other government bodies and the school district; someone who will work beyond 9 to 5, by going to evening and weekend events and be seen in the community and someone who will help promote development of underused or vacant properties.

That’s the summary of what seven people who attended an October public meeting told Joellen Earl, the chief executive officer of GovHR USA, the Illinois consultant conducting the national search for a new municipal manager. Municipal Manager Steve Feller resigned October 15.

Earl told the group her firm was recommending that commissioners cast as wide a net as possible in looking for applicants because you never know where you will find people with an interest in leading Mt. Lebanon.

She asked the residents two questions in the hour-long meeting: What qualities do you want in a manager? What opportunities and challenges do you see for a person in that position? Earl was to use those answers to help write a profile of the job.

In addition to the public, Earl was to speak with senior municipal staff members, commissioners and members of the community who interact with the municipality. She expects to provide the commissioners a list of finalists for the position in December.

TRASH PICKUP RECAP Mt. Lebanon’s contract with Republic Services contains a cap on how much trash you can put out in a week. Republic will collect up to 15 bags of trash and two “bulky items,” items not in a bag or a can, but weighing less than 50 pounds. If you have more trash than that in a week, you can contact Republic at 412-429-2600 or mtlebanonpa@republicservices.com and arrange for a special collection, which you will have to pay for. You can also call Republic to make arrangements for backyard trash pickup instead of curbside.

Just to recap the general rules for trash pickup: You can take your trash to the curb anytime after 6 p.m. the evening before regular pickup and it should be at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on the day of collection.

Trash containers should hold no more than 50 pounds each.

If you’re missing a garbage and recycling schedule, you can pick one up at the customer service center in the municipal building, or download one. The schedule also has a listing of what is acceptable for recycling.

 LOVE THOSE TREES! With fall under way, many of us are grumbling about raking the leaves. Although wemay have a little disdain for trees in autumn, we celebrate all of their benefits in the spring.

Come April, we will be boasting about Mt. Lebanon’s designation as a Tree City USA, a title bestowed by the National Arbor Day Foundation because we have a tree ordinance, budget an adequate amount for tree planting and maintenance and hold an Arbor Day Celebration. Like many past years, we will celebrate the an event at a local elementary school—this year it is Foster School—and the students will learn about the importance of trees and showcase their talent by writing or putting on a performance about nature.

Besides beautifying our neighborhood and giving us another reason to celebrate, trees provide a lesser-known benefit to Mt. Lebanon. According to NASA Explains Why You Should Live on a Tree-Lined Street—and A Tree-Lined City, trees are a fundamental resource helping to guard against climate change.

Because of the Urban Heat Island Effect, cities have the tendency to be a few degrees warmer than the surrounding rural areas because buildings, roads and other impervious surfaces such as concrete generate heat. However, cities don’t have to be sweltering places—if they plant trees.

Trees and other types of vegetation help cool a city by releasing water vapor, which travels into the soil and cools the ground.

If your house is missing a tree on the public tree lawn between the street and sidewalk a crew will come and plant one for $155. If you previously had a municipal street tree and it has died or been removed by the municipality, you are eligible to receive a new tree for free (there will be a wait.) Some residents without sidewalks may be eligible to have tree planted on the municipal right-of-way. Call 412-343-3403.

So while you’re raking this November, don’t forget to be thankful for our tree-lined streets.

CAPTION Among the many other benefits of living in a tree-rich neighborhood is the cooling effect the trees have in areas that are covered in asphalt or other impervious surfaces. Trees release water vapor that allows the concrete streets to cool faster.