Community recycling schedule

The Mt. Lebanon Public Works Department hosts a monthly series of recycling events through September at the public works facility, 1250 Lindendale Drive.

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. One free TV per vehicle. Appliances with refrigerant cost $25. May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20 and September 17.

PAPER SHREDDING 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shredding fee is $8 per banker’s box, cash or checks only. May 28, June 25, July 23, August 27 and September 24.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required. Rates for materials vary. Rates and registration information are at www.nobleenviro.com. April 30 and August 13.

WOODY WASTE CURBSIDE PICKUP May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10 and October 1. Reservation is required. Call 412-343-3403, between Monday and no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Thursday before pickup. Material is limited to shrubs, tree branches and limbs. Materials must be on the curb before 7 a.m. on the pickup day.

Follow these guidelines:

Remove all dirt and debris from the roots of shrubs. No soil, rocks, leaves, grass clippings and ornamental grasses.

Place small branches into piles (not bound) not exceeding 24 inches in diameter and 48 inches in length.

Large tree limbs should be no longer than 6 feet in length and no thicker than 5 inches in diameter.

The total amount put out for any pickup cannot exceed more than can fit into a single pickup truck. If the above guidelines are not followed, crews will leave the materials at the curb.

WOODY WASTE DROPOFF Drop off your yard waste at the golf course maintenance facility on Pine Avenue, on the first Saturday of the month, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., through October 1. Leaves and garden residues in recyclable paper bags, small twigs, shrubs, brush and branches (under 3 feet) are accepted. No grass clippings, stones, soil, stumps, large limbs or plastic bags accepted.

PARKING RATES CHANGE Mt. Lebanon’s parking rates have changed, with the goal of encouraging drivers to use the garages for longer visits to our Washington Road business district. Turning the street spaces over quickly allows more people to access nearby parking for quick trips and short errands.

Cost for the North and South garages is $1.50 for one hour, $2.50 for two hours and $3.50 for three hours. Washington Road meters are $1 for the first hour, $4 for the second hour and $6 for the third hour. Garage parking is $1 Saturdays until 6 and free on Sunday.

 

RATS: WE HATE THOSE GUYS Chefs and crime bosses will tell you the same thing: Rats are bad for business. If they’re not leaving a trail of droppings through the kitchen, they’re sitting in some Federal Building office spilling the beans about the Scatino bust-out. Best to not even let them get started.

Rats will eat pretty much anything. You can cut down on potential food sources by putting your trash in a lidded container, storing grains, potatoes and onions in plastic or glass containers and not leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight.

Pet food in bowls, either inside or outside, and spillage from bird feeders make up another chunk of their diet.

Rats can enter your house through holes in wood, brick, pipe—even the venting for your dryer. They can squeeze through a half-inch opening. Make sure any holes in your structure are filled. They can also use material they find on your property to make nests. Keep firewood, lumber and other building materials at least 6 inches off the ground and don’t leave discarded and unused items in your yard for long periods.

Let your neighbors know if you spot a rat on their property.  If your neighbor does not respond, or if you notice the problem spreading to your own yard, call a code enforcement officer at (412) 343-4584.

PRO TENNIS RETURNS TO MT. LEBANON Following a two-year pandemic hiatus, the U.S. Tennis Association will return to the Mt. Lebanon Tennis center the week of July 11 for a Men’s Pro Circuit event, which carries a $15,000 prize pool and the chance to earn world tennis ranking points from the International Tennis Federation. Look for more information in next month’s Mt. Lebanon Magazine.

SOME GREAT ACCOUNTING The Government Finance Officers Association has awarded Mt. Lebanon’s finance department  with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report. This is the 44th consecutive year Mt. Lebanon has received the distinction.

GOOD GOVERNMENT The Allegheny League of Municipalities (ALOM) has once again designated Mt. Lebanon as one of its Banner Communities. Mt. Lebanon first received the designation in 2014 and has made the list ever since.

Criteria include participation in educational or training programs through ALOM, the Local Government Academy or the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; active membership in county municipal associations and local council of governments (COGs) such as the South Hills Area Council of Governments, participating in a COG cooperative purchasing program and at least one shared municipal service; communicating with the community through print or online; working with local school districts by participating in career day or a mentoring program; and promoting and implementing long-term sustainable governing practices by earning certification through Sustainable Pittsburgh, managing employee pensions at funding levels of 90 percent or above, participating in the annual ALOM Wage and Salary Survey Program, and implementing goals of an up-to-date municipal comprehensive plan.