November 2024 e-Newsletter ed. 23

Proud Moment for Hermitage!

On Thursday, November 7th , the City of Hermitage was honored to receive the Community Growth Award at the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Phoenix Award Ceremony! This award is a testament to our commitment to fostering a vibrant, welcoming community and to supporting meaningful progress and growth across the Shenango Valley.

Hermitage was recognized for:

A successful merger with Wheatland Borough, strengthening our community’s unity and resources
Ongoing support for local business growth, including major expansions like the new facility at Joy Cone and the recent opening of the FedEx facility
Expanding parks, trails, and recreational offerings for everyone to enjoy
Well-maintained green spaces that enhance our city’s beauty
Playing a guiding role in the exciting Hermitage Town Center mall redevelopment project

We are grateful to our community, local businesses, and the Chamber for recognizing Hermitage’s progress. Here’s to building an even brighter future together!

Congressman Mike Kelly Presents $312,000 Grant for New Police Vehicles to Hermitage Police Department

On November 1st, U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly made a check presentation to Hermitage Police Chief Adam Piccirillo and Deputy Chief Joel Ristvey for a recent grant award. A 312,000 Community Project Funding Award will provide for 5 new, fully-equipped police vehicles for the department. The new vehicles will provide considerable savings to the department by reducing maintenance and repairs costs and will increase reliability and response.

City of Hermitage Helps FNB Hosts First-Time Homebuyers Educational Workshop

On October 29th, the City of Hermitage hosted a First-Time Homebuyers Educational Workshop presented by First National Bank. The workshop included a step-by-step guide to understanding the home-buying process. Information was provided by loan originators, realtors, a title insurance agent, and a home inspector. The City also discussed the Hermitage First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Program which can provide $5,000 at closing for eligible applicants. The program has capacity for just a few more applications.

Reminder: Hunting Regulations in City Parks

A friendly reminder that hunting is prohibited in all city parks, including Stull Nature Reserve, Rodney White Park, the Hermitage Athletic Complex, Whispering Pines and the trails at LindenPointe. To ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment of our beautiful natural spaces, please remember that both purple paint and no hunting signs are legitimate markers indicating that hunting is not allowed. Let's keep our parks safe and enjoyable for all visitors! Thank you for your cooperation!

First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Program Now Closed

The city’s First-Time Homebuyers Assistance Program has reached its capacity and is no longer accepting applications. This pilot program had a capacity for 15 qualified applications and reached that limit in just under two months. We are pleased to welcome these individuals and families as new homeowners and are gratified to have assisted them in making Hermitage their home. Now, staff will compile data and prepare a report on the effectiveness of the program which will be used by the Hermitage Board of Commissioners to inform decisions regarding future assistance programs.

Rejuvenate with Our All Levels Flow Yoga: New Time & More Dates!

Discover our All Levels Flow Yoga Series with an exciting update—new time and added dates! Join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 pm for a revitalizing yoga experience designed for all skill levels.

Date: Classes start August 20^th

Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Cost: $10

Location: Whole Life Services, 1565 E State Street, Hermitage, PA

Now there's even more opportunity to find balance and tranquility in your week. Please bring your own yoga mat, as mats will not be provided.

Reconnect with your inner self and embrace the calm amid life’s busyness.

https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/cityofhermitage/home

Join Us for our Annual Holiday Light Parade

Bring your family, friends, and holiday spirit as we kick off the season with glowing floats, festive music, and plenty of cheer!

Parade Details:

Date: Saturday, November 23rd
Start Time: 6:00 PM
Start Location: Intersection of State St. & Kerrwood Dr.
Route: The parade travels down East State St., turns onto North Hermitage Rd., and ends near the mall intersection.

Important Reminders:

Road closures begin at 5:00 PM along the parade route. Expect delays and plan your travel accordingly.
Participants: Arrive at the Hermitage Towne Plaza before 5:00 PM to avoid road closures.
Parking: There is no parking available at the mall, so please plan ahead.

Schedule of Events:

5:40 PM: Fireworks kick off the festivities
5:50 PM: Merry Christmas Mile begins
6:00 PM: Parade starts

Let’s make this an unforgettable evening filled with lights, laughter, and holiday joy! ✨ See you there!

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Celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 21st!

Mark your calendars! The shortest day of the year deserves the brightest celebration! Join us at Rodney White Olympic Park on December 21st from 5:30 to 8:30 pm for our Winter Solstice event.

Expect live music, delicious food, and warm beverages to toast with friends and family as we gather around a real yule log and light up the night

Shop Small Business Weekend: November 29 - December 2

Explore Hermitage and support our local small businesses during Small Business Weekend! Visit all 9 participating businesses over the 4-day event and be entered to win an incredible grand prize: a gift from each business!

How to Participate:

Pick up a Shop Around card at your first stop.
Get it signed at each participating location.
Turn in your completed card at your last stop to be entered into the drawing.

Grand Prize Drawing Date: December 3rd

Participating Businesses:

Webb Winery
Diane’s Boutique
Trendy
Poppy Rd Boutique
Best Life Boutique
One Hot Cookie
Giavonna’s Gourmet Coffee
Olympic Fun Center
The Healing Tree

Hours vary by location. Let’s make it a weekend to remember while supporting our amazing small businesses!

Historical Society Christmas Tree Tours

The annual Christmas tree tours at the Stewart House will commence after Thanksgiving. These tours are free and open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

November 30 and December 1 – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
December 6 – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
December 7 and 8 – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
December 13 – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
December 14 and 15 – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Everyone is invited to enjoy the festive decorations and holiday spirit at the Stewart House.

Valley YMCA Events

Find them on their website: Valley YMCA (Select the “Valley” branch for the Hermitage location). Find them on Facebook at “VALLEY YMCA.”

Lady Scouts Pajama Drive
Now through December 5th, help make a difference by donating pajamas for kids and families in need! You can shop directly from the Amazon Wish List at https://amzn.to/4hGeeCj or drop off new pajamas at the Hermitage Fire Department (2511 Highland Rd, Hermitage, PA) Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

All donations benefit Prince of Peace Center. Let’s spread warmth and joy this season!

Local Entrepreneurs Launch IQ Mobile Details: A New Mobile Car Detailing Service

IQ Mobile Details was started by two local college students who attended Sharon High School as well as the eAcademy at LindenPointe where they learn about entrepreneurship and small business management. Isaiah Harvey and Quentin Lee, Jr (the I and Q in IQ Mobile Details) are two young entrepreneurs taking their passion for cars and their attention to detail into their community in the form of a mobile detailing business.

IQ Mobile Details provides cleaning and car enhancement services to all vehicles. Sure, they will wash and vacuum your car, but they offer so much more than that! Harvey and Lee have basic pricing for both the exterior and interior of cars, but also provide a price list for several packages and add-ons like engine cleaning, headlight restoration, odor removal, and more.

You can find them through their website- www.iqmobiledetails.com- or book with them through Setmore- https://quentin9rz1.setmore.com

Recycling Do’s & Don’ts

Recycling can be confusing, but it's important to follow the guidelines set by your local program to ensure proper disposal.

What Can I Recycle?

Accepted Items:

#1 & #2 Plastic Bottles & Jugs
Metal Cans (Aluminum, Steel, and Bi-metal)
Clean Paper (Cardboard, Magazines, Newspaper, Mixed Paper)
Junk Mail

What NOT to Recycle

Plastics (other than bottles/jugs)
Plastic Bags
Styrofoam
Vinyl Siding
Construction Materials
Wood
Contaminated Papers & Boxes
Ceramic Cups, etc.

When in doubt, throw it out! By following these guidelines, you help ensure that the recycling process is as efficient as possible.

Just a reminder that weekly yard waste collection ends the week of Monday, December 9, 2024.

Important Details:

Collection Period: Weekly yard waste collection runs from the 3rd week in April through the 2nd week in December.
How to Dispose: Place yard waste in green-lid carts or biodegradable bags at the curb on your regular collection day. There’s no limit on the number of bags allowed.
Accepted Yard Waste:
- Leaves, grass clippings, plants, flowers, roots, sawdust, shrubbery, prunings
- Branches and tree limbs (under 3” diameter, up to 3’ length)
- Brush up to 3’ in length

Please remember, do not place leaves or grass clippings on the roadways—they can create hazards and block stormwater drainage.

For more details, visit hermitage.net/235/Yard-Waste-Collection.

City Garage Electronics Recycling Program: Covered Devices and E-Waste Collection

Covered Devices, including monitors, peripherals, desktop and laptop computers, and televisions, can be recycled at the City Garage on Virginia Road. Collection occurs year-round on the first and third Friday, 7 a.m. to Noon, excluding shutdown days. Schedule drop-offs by calling City Garage at (724) 342-0210 and purchasing a $20 tag per electronic item

For more information on the City's recycling, yard waste and garbage collection services, please visit https://www.hermitage.net/224/Recycling-Solid-Waste

Tire & Household Appliance Recycling
Hermitage residents can dispose of old tires and household appliances at the City Garage on Virginia Road, with a limit of four tires per visit and no cost involved. Proof of residency is necessary, and residents must call ahead to arrange drop-off. Accepted items include tires (without rims or dirt inside), all household appliances. Appliances containing Freon must have doors disabled, freon removed and properly tagged by a certified technician. Contact the Hermitage Municipal Building for more details at 724-981-0800.

Hard-to-Recycle Events

Monthly H2R (Hard-to-Recycle) events are held at various participating locations around Mercer and Lawrence County. These recycling events are free to residents.

Collection days are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 9am – 1pm.

For a list of 2024 locations, please visit our website HERE

Please note, this program is for residential households ONLY. Questions about countywide recycling programs? Please visit HERE

Big Changes Coming to Online Bill Pay!

Starting December 6th, we’re upgrading our Online Bill Pay Site to better serve you!

Here’s what you need to know:

Complete Overhaul: The site will have a brand-new look and improved features.
Payments will no longer be processed through the Customer Self Service Portal.
Credit Card Payments: Fees will now be processed at a flat percentage, saving you money!
E-Check Processing: Fees will increase slightly.

Stay tuned for more details as we approach the launch date. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition to serve you better!

A Friendly Reminder Regarding Real Estate and Per Capita Tax
Per Capita and Real Estate tax payments cannot be made online. Residents can pay in person (cash or check), mail a check to the City of Hermitage, or use the drop box outside the Municipal Offices. For more information, visit:

https://www.hermitage.net/237/Treasurer

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Hermitage Fire Community Connect

The Hermitage Fire Department proudly introduces Hermitage Community Connect, a new initiative aimed at enhancing community connections and improving emergency response through a dynamic website integrated with incident response software.

Residents and Business owners are encouraged to provide vital details in advance, ensuring emergency responders have crucial information at their fingertips for a more efficient and tailored response. Click HERE to register