Imagine that you just spent a few hundred dollars to fix your cell phone’s cracked screen. As you’re walking out of the repair store, you drop the phone again, and this time it bounces into oncoming traffic where it’s promptly run over by a Buick.
That was basically council’s reaction when they learned that the soon-to-be renovated bathrooms at Chartiers Park can’t be opened to the public until a hot water system is added at an additional cost of $4,200.
“Is it mandatory?” asked councilman Nino Petrocelli Sr.
“You need a vote right now?” asked council president Mike Tolmer.
“I’ll make that motion,” said councilman Joe Colosimo, with all the enthusiasm of somebody who came for a routine cleaning but went home with a root canal.
The bathrooms at Chartiers Park have never had hot water, but the Allegheny County Health Department won’t sign off on planned upgrades if hot water isn’t included.
The $4,200 price tag will add electric-powered on-demand hot water heaters to the restrooms. That’s not a huge sum of money by government standards, but after last year’s floods put a big dent in the borough budget, Bridgeville officials have been carefully watching all expenses.
The was a ray of hope prior to the vote, though. Borough manager Lori Collins said that the cost could be covered by a grant that Bridgeville received to improve the park.
Plus, people using the bathroom at Chartiers Park will be able to wash their hands with hot water now.