February 21, 2024

Town Topics

THIS OLD (SUSTAINABLE) HOUSE The Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board is concluding its series on making homes more sustainable, safe and salable while still maintaining the home’s architectural integrity with two presentations, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Howard Hanna Mt. Lebanon office, 701 Washington Road.

On March 5, the discussion focuses on sustainable landscaping and the feasibility of adding solar panels, with presenters from LBA Landscape Architecture and Envinity Solar.

The final presentation, on March 19, will focus on using sustainable materials in renovation projects and practical conservation tips on saving electricity, water and gas, and reducing paper consumption and food waste, with presenters from SmithGroup Architects and Mt. Lebanon High School.

SAVE THE DATE The municipality and the Mt. Lebanon School District will partner in an Arbor Day observance beginning at 2:30 p.m., Friday, April 26, at Foster Elementary School. The event will include student poetry and music, remarks by Foster principal Jason Ramsey and Mt. Lebanon Commission President Anne Swager Wilson, followed by the reading of a Tree City proclamation and a tree planting on school grounds. Mt. Lebanon has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA since 2007, and the Arbor Day celebration is one of the requirements for maintaining that status.

DAFFODIL DAYS The American Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Days campaign is happening in March. Product offerings include cut daffodils, potted daffodils and cut tulips. Funds raised help the organization’s mission for research, programs, and other local services in the community such as Road to Recovery. Relay For Life of Mt. Lebanon volunteers will be selling flowers at Rollier’s Hardware on Washington Road on Thursday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Daffodil bunches for $12, mini potted daffodils for $15 and tulip bunches for $15 will be available to purchase. Cash or card accepted.

COLUMBIA GAS WORK Please stay tuned to the road construction page on our website: mtlebanon.org/roadconstruction. On it, we detail traffic disruptions due to utility work. One such project planned to start in May: gas infrastructure replacement on Castle Shannon Boulevard and Cooke Lane in Mt. Lebanon and Castle Shannon. Details are still being finalized but that website will be updated immediately when we know more.

Shot of a retired couple walking across a golf green — iStock

SENIOR GOLFERS Mt. Lebanon Senior Men’s Golf Club members play nine holes weekly on Wednesday mornings from early April to early October at the Mt. Lebanon golf course. Additionally, once a month on a Monday, optional 18-hole away events are held at other local courses for members. Men 55 and older are welcome to join the club and are encouraged to participate in the fun and camaraderie by becoming a member. Annual dues are $25.

If you have an interest in joining the club, please download a form.

FREE INCOME TAX HELP: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is available through April 4 at the Bible Chapel, 300 Gallery Drive in McMurray, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. No appointments, first come first served.  Taxpayers can receive assistance with federal, state and local wage tax returns and real estate/rent rebate. Must bring ID for yourself and your spouse; last year’s tax return; birth dates and Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and dependents; all W-2s and 1099s, 1095 health care statements and property tax receipts. Both spouses must sign joint returns.

CORRECTION Due to a number transposition error, a chart in our January issue gave incorrect millage figures for potential tax increases if the new trash contract had been paid for solely out of tax funds. Millage at the end of the contract would have been 5.64 if the costs had not been pulled out into fees. Additionally, the number of households responsible for paying the new fee is 11,075, since landlords are responsible for trash collection in high-density residential units.