Sep 7, 2023 By Paul Paterra staff Writer ppaterra@observer-Reporter.Com 3 min read

Budget talks will start next week in Charleroi.

During an agenda meeting Wednesday, council discussed several financial moves, including the potential hiring of an outside code enforcement agency, filling other open positions such as street foreman and borough manager and the possibility of giving taxpayers a break next year.

Councilman Randy DiPiazza said he wants to do something to give back to borough residents as council prepares to receive its first payment from the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi from the sale of its sewer lines.

In June, after months of back and forth between Charleroi Borough officials and ABC, a contract was signed by both parties setting the sale price at $3.7 million. That amount will be paid to the borough over five years, with the first payment of $1 million due Oct. 1.

The remaining $2.7 million will be paid in annual installments of $550,000 through 2028.

Last month, council approved two motions totaling $200,000 that will benefit both the Charleroi Regional Police Department and Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department after that first payment is received.

DiPiazza and Council President Frank Paterra were absent from that meeting and therefore unable to weigh in on that decision.

Wednesday, DiPiazza said council should also prioritize giving back to borough residents.

“The last meeting, I was not here, most of you know why, (Frank) President Paterra was

CHARLEROI • A2 FROM A1 not here,” DiPiazza said. “Unfortunately, other council members knew how the other members of council felt, but put it through anyhow. “… My first responders, I have great respect for. But we should not be giving money we did not have in our pockets. I believe the taxpayers of this town are owed something.” DiPiazza said a rebate of some sort or a tax break should be considered. “I think in 2024 we should lower taxes back down to what they were,” DiPiazza said. That suggestion brought up budget talks — a topic that had not been discussed. “That leads to a good point,” Councilman Paul Pivovarnik said. “It’s September already and we have not started a budget for 2024. We have to start putting together a budget for next year.” Since reaching the agreement with ABC, council has discussed how to invest their money from that deal, whether to use a local agency or otherwise and what sort of account would be best. Councilman Larry Celaschi agreed with DiPiazza and Pivovarnik that residents should receive some sort of break and it’s time to open the books looking to 2024. Celaschi said the borough’s auditor has requested a meeting with council to discuss possibilities for the ABC payments and is ready to give council its audit report. “We’re talking about a tax rebate or lowering taxes, but we don’t event know what 2024 looks like,” Pivovarnik said. “Are we going to bank on getting $500,000 next year and say ‘happy days’ or try to save that money every year,” Pivovarnik asked. DiPiazza said there are discussions and decisions to be made, but the taxpayers need not be forgotten. “My point is, no matter what, we have to give something back (to the taxpayers),” DiPiazza said. Council has agreed to hold an informal budget workshop at 6 p.m. Monday that will be open to the public. However public comment will not be permitted as it is an informal meeting and nothing will be decided or voted on officially.