Feb 24, 2018 3 min read

Several residents at Thursday’s Monessen City Council meeting questioned council’s approval of the tax appeals for the former Eastgate 8 and Eastgate 11 properties.

Resident Adriana Ottaviani said all businesses and residents should have the same opportunity to have their taxes lowered.

She added the owners of the Eastgate office buildings bought them at prices much lower than the appraised values, and now the taxes have been reduced.

“It isn’t fair to all of the other residents and business owners,” Ottaviani said.

Councilman Ron Chiaravalle said all property owners can appeal property taxes each year.

Resident Linda Lacey said residents are paying high taxes, and reducing the taxes on the Eastgate properties puts a strain on the residents and other businesses.

“These taxes weren’t actually lowered. For several years, they have not been on the tax rolls because they have been owned and operated by the city. The properties are now on the tax rolls, and the city will be collecting taxes from these properties,” said solicitor Joseph Dalfonso.

He added the taxes were reduced by Westmoreland County Tax Appeals Board to fair market values.

Council approved the tax-appeal settlements of both properties. The former Eastgate 11 property, now owned by Gunston Hall Realty Inc., will be taxed at the fair market value of $425,000. The former Eastgate 8 property, owned by On Site Rep LLC, received approval for $80,000 as the fair market value for that property.

“These properties’ taxes are being determined by the fair market value now. The former tax assessment was when the properties were occupied on all four floors,” said Dalfonso.

Council also announced it is working on updating policies and ordinances.

“This council seems to be policy-oriented, which is a good thing,” said Dalfonso.

Council held a first reading of an amended city dog ordinance, which would increase the number of dogs allowed to be owned at a residence from two to four. Councilman David Feehan said council also is working on an amendment concerning the care of dogs and cleaning up after the pets.

Council approved a resolution establishing rules and regulations for public participation at all advertised workshop, regular and special meetings.

The new regulations will include two periods of public comment and agenda-item-only comment periods, which will be held at the beginning of meetings. All other public comments will be taken at the end of meetings. Public comments must be addressed to Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw, who can then designate a committee head to address them.

People wishing to speak must give their names and addresses. Public comments may last as long as three minutes, and a person may make only one comment per topic.

Dalfonso said there had been no set rules for public comment. “Council is being proactive by updating these policies,” he said.

Shorraw gave a proclamation to John Mandarino for his 28 years of service in the city police department. Mandarino retired Jan. 31.

Shorraw also issued a proclamation to actress Frances McDormand, a Monessen native, for her achievements in the field of acting in film and on stage. The proclamation will be mailed to her.

Monessen Hilltop Station 81-2 Capt. Jamie Sethman received a proclamation as the first female captain in the history of the city’s fire department.