Newell council reveals ordinance enforced incorrectly
NEWELL – Because local residents were concerned about the per capita tax in Newell Borough, the council explained to the public Monday that an ordinance passed in 1989 had been incorrectly enforced for all these years. Residents said that taxpayers were unclear on the correct amount of per capita tax that should be paid, and it had been discovered that some residents were paying $9.80, while others were paying $14.80.
Council Joseph Dandrea Jr. said that the ordinance passed in 1989 stated that per capita tax was set at $10, and that is the amount that everyone should be paying.
“The only way to change an ordinance is to pass a new one,” said Dandrea. “This ordinance is still legal until our solicitor says otherwise.”
In other matters, council members will participate in training for the National Incident Management System to become certified as mandated by Federal Emergency Management. The course, which is available online, is meant to teach officials how to handle local emergencies. All council members plan to become certified by September of this year.
The council also discussed the possibility of providing burning permits for people who may have special circumstances and need to burn on a day when it is not normally permitted.
Councilman Reginald Pierce said that he thought it would be a good idea to provide the permits so that people can clean up their properties when necessary.
“I think it helps clean up the town,” said Pierce.
Councilman James Livingstone pointed out that this county is in danger of drought, and if there were not enough rain, the borough would have to prohibit all burning until further notice.
Livingstone also announced that a county resident can drop off hard to recycle items, such as motor oil, tires, steel appliances and electronics at the Fayette County Fair Ground on May 27 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. He noted that hazardous wastes and paint cans will not be accepted.
The council also complained that they have not been getting a response on any issue from solicitor John Lowry, who is running for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Council members said he has not returned their phone calls or sent a response to anything they have contacted him about, and he has been absent from council meetings.