2025 Year in Review
The Borough continued to make meaningful improvements across all Departments in 2025. Borough staff implemented policies established by Borough Council to ensure that the Borough of Sewickley Heights remains a unique place to live. The Borough worked to complete past projects, manage routine operations, and plan for the future of Sewickley Heights.
The Borough’s Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) issued 28 Certificates of Appropriateness for projects ranging from roof replacement to new home construction. The HARB is comprised of experts and committed residents who cherish the greenspace, privacy, historical homes and artifacts that make the community so unique and desirable. The Board is comprised solely of volunteers who offer their time and knowledge to add value to projects and ensure the preservation of the character of Sewickley Heights.
The Borough Administrative offices are located at 238 Country Club Road and house the Borough Police Department and Administrative Department. Dawn Turner is usually the first face you see when you visit the office. Dawn continues to serve the Borough handling resident requests, managing records, and providing a variety of support functions for Borough staff in all Departments. Emily Moldovan remains dedicated to the Borough, serving as Zoning Officer and Building Code Official. Emily serves as the guide for residents and their professionals as they progress through the HARB and property development process. Her expertise and knowledge of the process help simplify project development, review, and approval.
The Department of Parks and Public Works is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of infrastructure, facilities and grounds, and equipment within the Borough. All Department staff are full-time, working 5 days a week and responding to after-hour emergencies throughout the year to serve the community. The Department welcomed a new Director in 2025. Nicolas Pascarella Jr. joined the Department in March of this year and leads Department staff to maintain and enhance the infrastructure, facilities and grounds throughout the Borough. His experience is complemented by that of Equipment Operator Doug Hunter, who joined the Borough in May 2024. Doug is a wealth of knowledge and a valued asset to the Department and the Borough. Nick and Doug are committed to the Borough and its residents, providing a wide variety of services to the community.
Parks and Public Works Department staff work diligently to maintain the Borough’s fleet of vehicles and equipment that support routine and emergency operations. Each piece of equipment is an investment into the Borough – accordingly, staff attentively maintain all equipment to attain the longest service life possible for all equipment. The fleet will continue to be updated and improved in the coming years to ensure cost-efficient and effective service to the community. The Department is also responsible for maintenance and improvement of Borough owned facilities. In 2025, the Department coordinated significant improvements to Borough facilities, including entry and garage door replacement, interior wall repair and painting, exterior painting, chimney/roof maintenance and repair, and gutter replacement. Each Borough owned facility is a valuable asset and critical to daily operations. Borough Council is committed to maintaining and improving these structures.
The 2025 Road Program included asphalt paving overlay on sections of Pink House Road, and Microsurfacing application on Pink House Road, Pony Hollow Road, and part of and Quaker Hollow Road, totaling approximately
1.6 miles. Additional subsurface work included the replacement of several stormwater catch basins and associated stormwater pipes. This work marks the completion of the 6-Year Road Program with each Borough-owned road resurfaced in the past 6 years, reflecting Borough Council’s commitment to maintaining and improving Borough infrastructure. The Road Program will continue in 2026 with minor asphalt repair projects on Barberry Road and Backbone Road, and Microsurfacing application of Stonedale Road and Backbone Road.
Significant landslides impacted two Borough roads in 2024, with the effects felt through 2025. Backbone Road between Little Sewickley Creek and the boundary with Bell Acres remains closed. However, the Borough’s Public Works staff committed themselves to removing approximately 400 cubic yards of the slide material to ensure safe
passage on Little Sewickley Creek and mitigate continued sliding of material at that site. Department staff also completed a repair to Barberry Road where the landslide forced an initial closure and subsequently left the road with one lane of travel. The road base and surface were completely reconstructed across ~180 feet of roadway, and the road has been reopened to two lanes of travel, just in time for the winter season.
Borough Council and Staff worked closely with PennDOT over the past three years to develop a solution to open Way Hollow Road, which closed permanently on January 24, 2020 due to active landslide activity. The Borough provided engineering and geotechnical support to the project to ensure the final design met the Borough’s expectations. Borough Council was thrilled to see construction begin on March 3, 2025. Borough Council had the opportunity to tour the active construction site twice during the late summer as Allison Park Contractors worked to complete the project in November. The road was reconstructed to the highest standard, with careful consideration from Borough Council that the design accounted for and mitigated future impacts from stormwater and landslides. The project was made possible through the PennDOT Turnback program, which provides funding for projects which will be returned to local ownership at the conclusion of construction. The Borough now has full ownership of Way Hollow Road and will guide the continued maintenance and operation of the roadway moving forward.
The Borough Police Department, led by Mayor Magovern and Chief Harrison, enjoyed a productive year in officer training and Department enhancement in 2025. In August of this year, Jennifer Buzzatto, a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Training Academy, joined the Department as Full-time Patrol Officer. Officer Buzzatto is a welcome addition to the Department and has already become a recognizable face for residents. Canine Officer Pavicic, with K9 Artus, Officer Lough, and Officer Farmer continue to serve the community and assist in neighboring communities as needed. Part-time officers Castilow, McHenry, Stirling, and Vega complement the Full-time Officers in the Police Department. The officers that serve the Borough are highly trained, motivated and indispensable individuals that collectively form a robust Police Department committed to protecting and serving the Borough of Sewickley Heights.
Aleppo Township Volunteer Fire Company, led by Chief Bill Davis Jr., and Quaker Valley Ambulance Authority, led by Chief Brian Herskovitz, continue to serve the community with 24/7/365 emergency response. These two outstanding organizations provide invaluable support to the Borough Police Department and critical public safety to the community.
It has been a great personal honor to serve the community and residents of the Borough of Sewickley Heights since 2013, and in the capacity of Borough Manager since 2021. I have come to know many residents outside of the office and enjoy every opportunity I have to engage with residents or visit their unique properties. I value the opportunity that Borough Council and the Mayor have provided in their continued support of my management of Borough Administration and Operations.
I very much look forward to continuing my service to the community in collaboration with Borough Council and Staff to provide quality services, and to support continued efforts to preserve and enhance the historic, rural character of Sewickley Heights for the benefit of its residents.
Nathan A. Briggs
Borough Manager