North Union leaders question request from assessment office
North Union Township supervisors questioned Tuesday why they were asked to offer input on a tax assessment appeal for Sylvan Heights Cemetery. Township solicitor Dan Reilly explained that Sylvan Heights is appealing its $1.5 million assessment, contesting that the property is worth only $500,000.
He noted that Fayette County Chief Assessor James A. Hercik, CPE, sent a letter to the township indicating that the assessment office wants the supervisors’ thoughts about the appeal.
The supervisors thanked Reilly for alerting them of the appeal but didn’t understand why they were being asked to render an opinion.
“Our tax rate won’t be affected. Our millage will remain the same. It hasn’t changed in over 42 years. The only thing that would change would be the amount of money due to us,” Supervisor Tom Kumor said.
“We have nothing to do with property values,” agreed Supervisor John Mateosky.
Kumor quipped that if the township would get involved, they would need another building addition just to hold the appeal paperwork.
“We can’t approve or disapprove anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s a penny or $1 million. Everyone gets equal treatment under the law,” Kumor said, noting that the supervisors aren’t asked for opinions on any other appeals.
Mateosky added that if asked again, Reilly should tell the assessment office that the supervisors have no authority to value or devalue property.
“They (the tax assessment office) tell us that they are professionals. If they are professionals, then I say let them do what they were hired to do. It doesn’t involve us,” Mateosky said.
In another issue, residents from the Gallatin Avenue area asked the supervisors to help clean up problems with unsightly rental properties and tenants.
As group spokesman, Nancy Harmon asked the supervisors what could be done to eliminate the problems of littering, rats, late-night loitering, all-night parties and trespassing that neighbors are forced to live with as the cycle of “come and go” renters continues.
The group had asked for a curfew, but since most of the teens causing the alleged commotion are over 18, the supervisors indicated a curfew would be wasted.
Plus, Mateosky said, ordinances couldn’t regulate how late teens could stay up as guests on private property.
However, regarding the reported obscenities, threats of violence, property damage and trash scattering, the supervisors agreed to have Reilly send a letter to the landlord, telling him to deal with the situation.
“The landlord is always ultimately responsible,” Mateosky said.
The supervisors also conducted the following business:
– Voted to advertise for bids for the Hopwood Village Project’s streetscape project to landscape and place streetlights along Route 40.
– Agreed to send a letter to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, stating their decision not to close Old Pittsburgh Road along Route 51 to traffic. The supervisors said the commission had contacted them, requesting that the road be closed and made into a cul de sac in readiness for the Mon/Fayette Expressway.
The supervisors said they decided not to close the road because it would block development of the ground next to the mostly business-oriented road.
– Said they are considering extending Atlas Crossing Road in Hopwood to Craig Lane at the time a sewer-line extension is planned for the area to allow residents an extra thoroughfare.