Harrison Township wants to tackle blight with $500,000 grant

Harrison plans to take on blight in a big way next year. The township is counting on a $500,000 grant from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Harrison has up to 100 abandoned homes it would like to demolish, 30 in the Natrona section of the township.

Township Manager Rich Hill and the code enforcement department are compiling a priority list of buildings to raze.

Commissioner Gary Lilly wants to move forward with the 30 structures from Natrona, but Hill wants to compare the Natrona list to what the code enforcement personnel are working on.

“Let’s wait until we have a meeting,” Hill said. “We don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We might need to merge these lists. When the funding comes in, we can start right away.”

Solicitor Charles Means warned officials and residents who are anxious to see the demolitions that notice must be given to the homeowners and they need to be tracked down before progressing toward razing structures.

Another holdup could be inspecting these dilapidated buildings for asbestos. Hill hopes to provide commissioners with a master list on Jan. 6.

The township has encountered a delay in getting bonding paperwork in order to tear down structures at 1525 Union Avenue and 2506 Monroe Street.

Structures at 42-44 Federal Street have been determined to be part of the Penn Salt Historical District.

Township officials need to know the process from Allegheny County to eventually have those buildings taken down.

2020 budget approved

Commissioners gave final approval Monday to a 2020 budget of nearly $5 million that will keep the real estate tax rate at 5.106 mills.

The biggest expense is the $1.4 million set aside for the police department and related costs.

The public works department is budgeted $363,000 for road maintenance.

The three township fire departments will be getting quarterly payments of $2,500 — an increase from the $1,750 previously allotted per quarter.

The township also earmarked $5,000 toward firefighter training and $13,000 for apparatus maintenance.

The overall budget is just $5,000 more than this year’s budget.