Meeting roundup
Date: Dec. 18
Action: Supervisors adopted the 2013 budget which calls for a tax reduction of .5-mill of real estate tax. However, sewer bills will increase by 65 cents per 1,000 gallons of usage in the coming year.
The township’s $10.3 million budget calls for a total of 10.98 mills of real estate tax. The township was able to reduce taxes thanks to a $1.1 million surplus. The .5-mill reduction amounts to a $20 savings for a property owner with a hone assessed at $40,000.
Bills for sewer service were raised from $7.70 to $8.35 for 1,000 gallons of usage.
The township also budgeted $184,000 for tap fees for the township municipal authority.
Supervisors approved the final site plan for a new Washington Area Humane Society facility on Route 136 in a commercial, C-1, district; the final site plan for a wrestling clinic on Munce Road in an agricultural, A-1 district; and a revised sewage facility plan for the Studio 6 Hotel.
The board also approved a revision to its license and permit fees. The change now includes a charge for such permits as logging or vacating a road or an alley. Township Manager Frank Siffrinn said the last revision had been in 2003.
Next meeting: 7 p.m. Jan. 7 in the municipal building.
Date: Dec. 17
Discussion: A proposed development to include speciality retail shops at the intersection of Washington Road and the southern entrance of Old Oak Road was met with little enthusiasm by council.
Semsi Yilmaz would like to develop the 1.2-acre lot, zoned C-4, that backs on residential property on Old Oak Road. The specifics of what type of speciality retail were not discussed for the proposed 7,400-square-foot building by the developer. No action was taken.
Council learned the traffic signal at Center Church and East McMurray roads will become fully operational at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Council learned state Sen.-elect Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, will retain an office in the township building for a monthly $168 rate. The office will be staffed two days a week and is in the same location used by former state Sen. John Pippy, who did not run for reelection.
Action: Council adopted the 2013 budget of $18,638,459 that does not include an increase in real estate taxes. The tax rate will remain at 13 mills.
Next meeting: Reorganization meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 the municipal building.
Date: Dec. 20
Action: At the request of the Washington County Hospital Authority, the commissioners adopted a resolution allowing the authority to refinance not more than $18 million of its bonds from 1998 to take advantage of lower interest rates. The action creates no liability to Washington County or county taxpayers.
At the request of the Children and Youth Services agency, the commissioners approved a purchase-of-service agreement with Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services Inc. at a cost of $80,000 for the final six months of 2012 and through June 30.
At the request of the jail, the board approved an agreement with Washington Physician Hospital Organization Inc. to provide health care to inmates at a cost of $10,775 for the coming year.
The commissioners renewed a contract with attorney Michael Palombo of the firm Campbell, Durrant, Beatty, Palombo and Miller without a rate increase from 2012. The services of an attorney will be $180 per hour.
The board approved an easement agreement with Allen Danjou and Virginia Lunn to construct a sewer force line across the Panhandle Trail to connect their property’s new home with the main trunk line.
At the request of the planning commission, the board renewed an agreement with Kymberly Secreet to provide animal control services in county parks at a cost of $300 per month next year with an option to renew for a year.
Appointment: Carrie Swan, Behavioral Health and Development board. Fifteen others were reappointed to the Washington County Authority, Children and Youth, Farmland Preservation, Hospital Authority, Housing Authority, Industrial Development, Behavioral Health and Development boards and the planning commission.
Announcements: County offices and courts will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 25, for Christmas and Tuesday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.