Sharpsburg will be adding new parking enforcement tools for the police department this year.

Council unanimously voted on Jan. 23 to approve the purchase of two handheld devices from T2 Services Inc.

The devices will electronically populate information by scanning a license plate and printing out waterproof tickets.

Those tickets will replace the yellow citation envelopes that have been issued for years.

The devices cost about $15,500, including the purchase price and first year of service. Prices drop to about $7,200 for the second year of service.

“It’s exiting,” councilman Jonathan Jaso said. “It’s another tool for our officers to make their job a little bit easier, especially with the street sweeping (enforcement).”

T2 Services was selected from three vendors. It is the same system Aspinwall began using in 2022 when it added new hardware and software and raised parking fines.

“We wanted something that was already in use locally,” Jaso said. “If our officers had a problem and didn’t want to call T2 Systems, they can give Aspinwall a call.”

Sharpsburg parking fines are not expected to increase this year.

Current fees are $5 for parking meter violations if paid within five business days, and $15 after that.

Parking violations for blocking roadways, driveways and crosswalks, fire hydrant access and other infractions are $15. Illegally parking in handicapped spaces is $50.

Jaso said the borough will be evaluating parking fees for potential increases next year.

The new devices also coincide with the borough adding the ParkMobile app.

It’s the same system used by Pittsburgh, Aspinwall and a few other communities to provide a more convenient way to pay for parking.

Sharpsburg motorists will still be able to put quarters in meters at a rate of 50 cents per hour.

The cost of using ParkMobile will be $1 per hour plus any related usage fees. There will be new signage at the meters informing people of the new option.

Both the ParkMobile system and the handheld devices are expected to be ready for use in mid-February at the earliest.

“Once we get trained and figure out how the system’s going to work, I think it will help,” police Chief Thomas Stelitano said. “We have a lot of vehicles down here and a lot of parking going on. We’re going to do our best to use them and utilize them the best we can.”

Parking meters are enforced 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Resident parking is enforced from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in certain parts of the borough where permits are required. Those sections include parts of Middle and South Canal streets.

Street sweeping parking enforcement varies. There are signs on the streets informing people which side not to park on at certain times.

In other business

• Council awarded a project worth $71,200 at Kennedy Park to Ron Gillette Inc.

Borough manager Christine DeRunk said work involved expanding and resurfacing the basketball court, adding new fencing and removing unnecessary asphalt to create green space and more stormwater management. Work is expected to begin later this year.

• The annual Robert “Snakeguy” Habegger Chili Cook-off is planned for Feb. 22 at the borough building, 1611 Main St.

It’s named in memory of the impassioned volunteer known for his homemade pepper spices and trained 5-foot leucistic rat snake named Popeye.

Council voted to approve the use of the building for the event. More details are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The motion to use the facility was not on Sharpsburg’s original agenda. It was added to the agenda during the Jan. 23 meeting and open to public comment before the vote.

No audience members came forward and there were no objections from council.

At least 60 people participated in last year’s contest, including 10 competitors and 25 registered taste testers.