On Monday, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Johnson Street. This sweep resulted in 16 properties receiving Notices of Violation and one verbal warning for issues such as inoperable vehicles, boats and campers on street, roof and gutter repairs, electrical service cable replacement. The Police Department tagged 5 abandoned vehicles and issued 1 handicapped parking violation. The Fire Bureau checked hydrants in the area. The Facilities Management team and DPW performed maintenance work such as trimming weeds and brush.

Property owners receiving notices are required to contact Code Enforcement within 24 hours of a notice to develop a plan of action. They are given up to 24 hours to correct violations such as high grass and up to 30 days (or more) to address more substantial issues. No actual fines or citations are issued during NAT sweeps. The purpose of the sweeps are to improve the neighborhoods and quality of life of our residents, and to remind homeowners of their obligation to maintain their properties in a safe and code compliant manner. The City utilizes the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as published by the International Code Council for these standards. The International Code Council is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. More information about the IPMC may be found at https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/collections/I-Codes.

An abandoned vehicle is one that does not have a current inspection. Vehicle owners are given 7 days to obtain an inspection before further enforcement action occurs.

More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

Last Friday, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Elizabeth Street. This sweep resulted in 20 properties receiving Notices of Violation for issues such as junk vehicles, a demolition notice, multiple accumulations of rubbish and debris, roofs and gutters, and exterior stairs. The Police Department tagged 10 abandoned vehicles and issued 1 parking violation warning. The Fire Bureau checked 16 Hydrants in the area. 11 were found to be in good condition. 1 had a leak and Pennsylvania American was contacted; 3 Stortz connections changed; 1 cleaned of small stones from the lock release. The Facilities Management team performed maintenance work such as trimming weeds. More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-announces-warehouse-conversion-mixed-use-facility-business-incubator-luzerne-county/

Today, Governor Wolf announced a $2,000,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) award for the redevelopment of the former Cooper’s Coop Warehouse Building in Pittston.  The 102,000 SF building will be converted into 27 apartments, a food court,  office space, and a business incubator.  The project will enhance the City’s riverfront and offer additional economic opportunities for the community.

The City of Pittston would like to thank Governor Wolf, Senator John Yudichak, and offer special thanks to Representative Mike Carroll for supporting and investing in the City of Pittston.

Today, City Officials conducted a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) sweep on Curtis, Brandenburg, Cornelia, Milton and North Main Streets. Today’s sweep resulted in 22 properties receiving Notices of Violation for issues such as high grass and weeds, damage, missing or blocked gutters, accessory structures in disrepair, and accumulation of garbage debris. The Police Department tagged 2 abandoned vehicles and issued 3 parking violation warnings. The Fire Bureau checked 8 Hydrants in the area. 7 were found to be in good condition and 1 had a bad gasket. The Street Department operated the Sweeper and deployed workers to remove debris. The Facilities Management team performed maintenance work at Jefferson Park. More unannounced sweeps will continue to occur throughout the City.

Sullivan Park has a new playground for residents to enjoy.  The playground is just one of a number of new amenities being added to the park in part from the Parks to Prosperity program, a component of the Neighborhood Housing Initiative.

Improvements include the playground, walking trail, improved baseball fields, a new basketball court, picnic area and security improvements.  To complete the $600,000 project, the City received $260,000 in C2P2 funds from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

All amenities are expected in be completed by the end of November.   Residents are welcome to visit the park and use the new playground.

https://www.pittstoncity.org/pittston-city-departments/pittston-city-streets-sanitation-department/parks-and-recreation/

CITY OF PITTSTON’S NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION TEAM FORMS AND MAKES FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD SWEEP

PITTSTON’S NAT VISITS OREGON SECTION

[PITTSTON, PA, July 10, 2018] Under the direction of Mayor Mike Lombardo, Council Member Attorney Michael Lombardo and City Administrator Joe Moskovitz the City recently formed a Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) to address blight, property maintenance issues and quality of life in a concerted effort in the neighborhoods under the City and Redevelopment Authority’s Neighborhood Housing Initiative. Members of the Code Enforcement, Police, Fire, EMS, Administration, Public Works Departments, and Office of Community Development comprise the NAT.

Today the NAT visited Tompkins Street in the Oregon Section of the City. During the sweep, the Code Enforcement department issued violations and notices to 27 different properties. The most common violations were for high grass and weeds, broken windows, deteriorated porches, damaged siding and roof issues. Rental inspections were also scheduled and several violations were found that will be corrected. The Police Department tagged three abandoned vehicles, discovered the illegal use of a handicapped parking sign and ordered the removal of the sign by the City’s DPW.

Additionally, the Code Enforcement Department coordinated with a private owner and utility companies for the demolition of two long vacant and blighted properties.

The City plans to conduct additional NAT sweeps in the immediate future in different locations throughout the City.

Pittston City’s new Mayor, Michael Lombardo along with re-elected City Councilmembers Michael Lombardo, Esq. and Kenneth Bangs were sworn on on Tuesday January 2^nd for 4 year terms of office.  Mr. Lombardo previously served as mayor during the 1990s.  Attorney Lombardo was also elected to the position of Vice Chair of the Pittston City Council.