Boat dock leases terminated in Tarentum

Boaters demanded answers from Tarentum Council on Tuesday night regarding future leases at the riverfront, but most people didn’t like what they heard.

Council voted to terminate dock leases on Oct. 31 due to aged utilities, safety issues and legal concerns.

The move infuriated longtime boaters who said they’ve poured thousands of dollars into their summertime spots along the water.

“I put a lot of work and money into my docks,” said boater Tony Tallerico, of Creighton, East Deer.

He has leased two slips for more than 15 years. Leases cost $700 each.

“I take care of it to the max,” he said. “You think I’m just gonna walk away and leave that down there?”

Walt Rothholz asked council what’s stopping residents who obtain necessary state permits from using the public riverfront property.

“What happens if I decide to put my boat in anyway?” Rothholz asked.

Council voted unanimously on Tuesday that no leases would be approved until the borough has a finalized riverfront development plan.

Discussions regarding the fate of the 34 docks began in April when the borough was approached by the state Department of Environmental Protection about missing permits that were supposed to be secured seven years ago.

The borough in 2016 told leaseholders they would handle the paperwork, but the permits were never obtained.

It’s unclear why.

“This is an uphill battle to make what’s going on down there legal,” Council President Scott Dadowski said. “The legality of it all trumps everything. The council and manager in 2016 did not fix the problem, and we can’t speak to why.”

Four of the lease holders went on their own and secured permits from the state.

Still, electricity and water were shut off at the riverfront this season for what Tarentum Manager Dwight Boddorf called safety and liability concerns.

The borough is in the midst of updating its electrical code, which dates to the 1990s.

Council also is considering a long-range comprehensive plan that includes trails and public access to the waterfront.

“The No. 1 wish of people, according to the survey we conducted, is to have access to the riverfront,” Dadowski said.