Saturday, January 27, 2007
The department responds to between 75 and 100 traffic accidents a year.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council is looking at imposing additional fees on drivers when firefighters respond to accidents involving hazardous materials.
Council recently introduced an ordinance calling for fees of 20 an hour for each firefighter responding to a crash and 100 an hour for each piece of equipment used at the scene when the accident involves a hazardous material.
In November, council adopted an ordinance imposing a separate fee of 20 an hour for each firefighter responding to a traffic accident and 100 an hour for each piece of rescue equipment used at the scene of the accident. That measure went into effect Dec. 18.
Those fees also are imposed on the drivers involved in the crashes, city officials explained.
Fire Chief Tom Bulisco said many automobile insurance policies include coverage that pays those fees. He said the city fire department responds to between 75 and 100 traffic accidents a year.
Liquor license
In other news, council has approved the transfer of a liquor license for Lanigan's Irish Pub. The new establishment will be downtown at 126-128 E. Washington St. The building is being renovated.
The license previously was used for the former Troggio's restaurant in Shenango Township.
Rob Ratkovich, council president, explained that because the transfer was being made from one municipality to another, the state Liquor Control Board required council to approve the transfer.
Council also established a no-parking zone on the eastbound side of Friendship Street from Pollock Avenue to Cunningham Avenue.