Nov 28, 2013 3 min read

North Strabane Township officials passed a tentative budget for 2014 that would avoid a real estate tax increase for the 21st consecutive year, township manager Frank Siffrinn said Tuesday.

The $11.2 million budget is a 7.8 percent increase from this year’s budget, and revenue sources are predicted to increase by more than $350,000 next year because of growth in real estate, realty transfer and earned-income taxes, franchise and building permit fees, and natural gas impact fees.

The total assessed value for real estate taxes is projected to decrease by $3.2 million, which Siffrinn attributed to the reassessment of Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

The reassessment resulted in a $50,000 loss in tax revenue to the general fund.

Siffrinn discussed several initiatives that the township plans to begin in the new year, including a major update to the 2003 comprehensive plan.

“Key components of the current plan will be addressed with specific emphasis focused on future land use, infrastructure expansion and public facilities,” Siffrinn said. “In addition, negotiations will commence for a new collective bargaining agreement with the police department.”

Supervisors are expected to vote on a labor agreement with paid fire personnel in January, and the current public works contract requires a wage reopener for the remaining two years of the agreement. There also are plans to hire a police officer, firefighter and a full-time maintenance worker in the parks and recreation department.

The board also approved a three-year solid waste and recycling contract with a new company after a lengthy discussion and two defeated motions Tuesday.

Supervisors were torn over whether to approve a contract with Waste Management, which has provided services to the township for more than 25 years, or to award a contract to the lowest bidder, Republic Services, which would save each resident about $8 a year.

Supervisor Brian Spicer made a motion to approve a contract with Republic Services, but it died for lack of a second. Vice Chairman Jeff Stanley made a motion to approve a contract with Waste Management, but it was defeated 2-3. After further discussion, Spicer again made a motion to approve Republic Services with the stipulation that the board could reopen bids within a year if they are unsatisfied with the service. The board unanimously approved that motion.

A Republic Services representative said the recycling pick-up date for residents will change from Wednesday to Tuesday, and letters will be sent to residents notifying them of the change.

In other action:

• The board accepted a retirement letter from police Chief Dan Strimel, effective Dec. 31, after more than 40 years of service as an officer.

• A resolution was approved to waive employee contributions to the police pension fund for 2014, as certified by the township actuary.

• Amendments to the township’s zoning ordinance to include vehicle repair garages as a permitted use in the highway-commercial district were approved.