Politics & Government

Pitcher Park, Dormont Borough Reach Settlement Agreement

Pitcher Park Foundation and Dormont Borough have reached a settlement agreement regarding reimbursement for work the foundation completed at Dormont Park, under the impression it would be allowed to construct a skate park there.

According to the terms of the settlement agreement, which will soon be posted on the Dormont Borough website, Dormont Borough will reimburse Pitcher Park Foundation $12,290.

In return, Dormont Borough, all past and present employees and council members of Dormont Borough, and the Pitcher Park Foundation, are absolved from any further liability or legal action between the parties.

Borough solicitor John Rushford said he and his law firm felt the settlement was the best option for the borough because the Pitcher Park Foundation had legitimate arguments for their belief that they would be allowed to build in Dormont Park. He admitted that he did question whether the actions leading the foundation to believe this were carried out ethically, or in proper legal form.

If the incident had gone far as a jury trial, the outcome would be unpredictable, and the borough would have had to absorb all legal costs because its insurance policy does not cover lawsuits relative to breach of contract, he said.

"We recommended this settlement for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it finally puts this matter, which has been so divisive to this community, to rest," Rushford said.


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