Masontown tables action on retaining tax collection agency
MASONTOWN — Masontown Borough Council tabled an ordinance on Tuesday that would retain the Southwest Regional Tax Bureau to collect delinquent per capita taxes from borough residents.
The bureau is a self-governed body composed of municipalities and school districts.
For many years, the borough has been having a problem collecting delinquent per capita taxes.
“We tabled the matter so as to have more time to discuss whether or not to hire this agency,” said borough President Harry Lee. “If we decide to hire this agency, perhaps it would bring more revenue to the borough.”
In other business, council asked police Chief Joe Ryan to be careful with potential overtime spending until the department is able to fill staffing vacancies.
The police department is currently understaffed because one officer resigned, another was injured on the job and a third was injured in an accident outside of work. Ryan said police will continue to staff daily operations at all hours, and he would do the best he can with the resources he has available until more officers are hired.
Ryan also reported that police department received a $5,000 grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation’s “Giving Back Fund.” The one-year grant from the foundation of the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will fund materials and training for the borough police department’s K-9 unit, Brony.
In other business, council
n Announced that Shallenberger Construction of Masontown is making plans to repair River Avenue this spring. In recent months, the road has been damaged by large trucks hauling frack water to the Marcellus shale water treatment plant.
n Announced that council is taking suggestions about what streets will be paved.
n Appointed Peter Pasquale to a two-year term as a member of the borough’s recreation board.
n Announced that anyone who hasn’t paid their water bill within two months will have water service terminated on Tuesday.