Mayor
The Mayor, elected every four years, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the police department. He also hosts visiting dignitaries and represents Etna in a variety of social functions. He can veto ordinances passed by Council and has the deciding vote when Council is deadlocked.
Borough Council
Etna council is comprised of nine members who are elected to four-year terms by ward, with each ward having three representatives. Every two years, on the first Monday in January, Council holds a re-organization meeting when Council members elect a president and vice-president. The president is responsible for setting the agenda and running the council meetings.
Council, as a whole, governs the town and is generally responsible for: drawing up a budget, setting tax rates, hiring and disciplining employees, appointing members to various boards and commissions, and overseeing zoning and planning, public works, recreation, streets, lighting, and refuse removal.
Council meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough Building. These meetings are open to the public and citizen attendance is encouraged.
Addressing Council
Etna citizens with questions, problems, complaints, etc., may address Council at their regular meetings. To do so, a letter indicating their intentions must reach the Borough Office ten (10) days prior to the meeting in order to be placed on the agenda.
Borough Office - Secretary Manager
The Etna Borough Office is located at 437 Butler Street, phone (412) 781-0569. The building houses the borough's administrative staff as well as the police and fire departments.
The day-to-day running of the town occurs in this office. Council sets the policy for governing Etna and these policies are carried out mainly by the Borough Secretary-Manager. The manager oversees the daily operations of all borough departments except the police.
The Borough Office is the collection point for water, sewage, and garbage bills and the swimming pool fees. All official records, minutes, and contracts are kept on file here. The building also houses Council's chambers where official meetings are held.
The Borough Office is also available to local civic groups wishing to hold a meeting.
Voting
Wards and Polling Places
Etna is divided into three wards whose boundaries were drawn so that the population of each ward is nearly equal to the others. The break‚down of the wards are as follows:
First Ward
Facing Etna from Route 28 - East Ohio Street, all the homes on the left side of Butler Street, from the entrance to Etna to the ball field, are in the first ward. Some of the streets include Ann, Walnut, High, Christler, and Maplewood.
First ward residents vote at the Calvert Memorial Presbyterian Church on High Street.
Second Ward
Includes all the homes on the right hand side of Butler and Grant Avenue from the Route 28 entrance through the entire borough to the Shaler line. Some of these streets are Cherry, Bridge, Bitner, Kittanning, Greismere, and Highland.
Second ward residents vote at the Borough Office on Butler Street.
Third Ward
Begins where the first ward ends and includes all the homes on the left side of Grant Avenue from the ball field to the Shaler line. A sample of these streets are Dewey, Spring, Wilson, and Park.
Third ward votes at the All Saints Activity Building.
How to Register to Vote
In order to vote in the borough, you must be registered as a citizen of Etna. Registration is easily accomplished by filling out a registration form and sending it to the Allegheny County Department of Elections. These forms are usually available at the Borough Office, or may be requested, by phone or letter, from the Elections Department.