Merger fails to get support of supervisors
The Slippery Rock Township board of supervisors will not support a merger of the township with the borough, according to a unanimous motion Monday night.
The supervisors cited overwhelming support from township residents as a basis for the decision to remain a separate community. The board is interested, however, in continuing its police agreement with the borough.
"We've chosen to live in a township for a reason," said Supervisor John Hines, referring to the financial obligations township residents would have to pick up should the two communities join.
Additional taxes are the chief concern of township residents.
Currently, borough residents pay a solicitor fee, per capita tax, tax on local services and a surcharge for garbage.
The township also would expect an 11 percent increase from the current property tax rate of 2.25 mills, Hines said. This means that for every 1000 dollars of a property value, about $2.50 would go to property taxes. Township residents would have to absorb these additional costs should the merger happen.
Based on the response of township residents, a merger seems unlikely at this time. Supervisor Paul Dickey read a letter written by a township resident that captured the sentiment of the population and also praised the township board for holding its ground in the merger talks.
Supervisors did not, however, rule out additional talks with borough representatives for exchanging specific services.
Dickey advocated discussing an agreement that would grant Slippery Rock township residents access to the borough's police force in exchange for road work services.
"We are interested in an equitable balance for police services rendered," Hines said.
A 2005 agreement between the borough, township, and the Slippery Rock Area school district provided borough police services to the township and school district at a rate of $28 per hour, in addition to a $25 monthly administrative fee.
That translated into $700 paid by the township for police services last year. That agreement will be terminated on April 30.
The police department costs the borough approximately $330,000 anually, a price the borough thinks the township should help bear.
The township also is looking to revamp an existing holding tank ordinance to meet state Department of Environmental Protection standards. The ordinance would primarily affect seasonal occupations like hunting camps, allowing occupants to temporarily have a septic tank if they meet several stringent requirements. Other sewage treatment options are being considered for lots under one acre, but there is no obvious answer in sight.
"There is no inexpensive solution to these problems, and a holding tank isn't an inexpensive solution either," community planning consultant Rick Grossman said.
