Tarentum boaters have until Oct. 31 to remove items from boat docks

A decision by Tarentum Council to eliminate boat docks at Riverview Memorial Park has enraged longtime users who feel they are scapegoats for what they called the borough’s swankier aspirations.

Boaters have until Oct. 31 to dismantle sheds, roofs and other amenities because of concerns over a lack of state permits and an electrical code that is two decades out of date.

No leases will be approved until the borough has a finalized riverfront development plan, which could include public and private docks, a public fishing pier and walking trail.

Council’s decision frustrated boaters who said they have poured thousands of dollars into their summertime spots along the water.

“I take care of my docks to the max,” East Deer boater Tony Tallerico said. “You think I’m just gonna walk away and leave that down there? That’s not going to happen.”

In addition, many boaters said they donate sweat equity by keeping the riverfront clean and pruned.

“Do you have a plan to stop the homeless from staying there?” Jen Simmers asked. “How are you going to stop the brush from growing out of control like it is at Dreshar Stadium?”

Ray Fortuna of Fawn has leased a space for nearly five decades. He said time spent on the water translates to money poured into the local economy.

“We provide $24,000-a-year income for the borough through leases. And, on top of that, I, myself, have spent thousands on restaurants, pizza and auto shops,” Fortuna said.

“If my boat leaves this town, I leave this town. I know a lot of other people feel the same. You want to take a couple hundred thousand dollars out of town? Just kick us out.”

Of the seven council members, only Kevin Bertocki and President Scott Dadowski responded to requests for comment on why the vote was necessary.

“The decision was not fun or easy,” Bertocki said. “Our duty is to protect the citizens of Tarentum, and our decisions are based on the best interest of the taxpayers.”

Boaters have created campsite-like spaces along the riverfront, many of which are in violation of the lease, he said.

“Things have been overlooked for years that now unfortunately cannot,” he said. “We want to make our riverfront a destination point, but we have to do it correctly.”

A lack of permits required by the state Department of Environmental Protection was the driving force behind the vote, Dadowski said.

The borough was approached in spring by the state 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.

Dadowski said it’s “an uphill battle to make what’s going on down there legal.”

“The council and manager in 2016 did not fix the problem, and we can’t speak to why,” he said. “The legality of it all trumps everything. We don’t have the permits.”

Four of the lease holders did go on their own to secure permits from the state.

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

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

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

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

Solicitor Eric Dee said anyone who goes that route will be subject to legal action.

Boddorf said it’s not possible that boaters have gotten all the permits that are needed.

“Because the land is a public park that crosses into the water, we have to apply for a special permit that dock leasees would sign onto,” he said. “We have never had that permit, so there’s no way that they have it.”

Tallerico argued that two months is nowhere near long enough for him to dismantle everything he has at the riverfront.

In addition, the work will cut into the few weeks left in the boating season, he said.

“If you told us we had two years, maybe,” he said. “But I don’t know how you think it’s going to happen by October.”

Dadowski said council has to consider long-range development, which includes a partnership with Friends of the Riverfront on a potential trail segment through Riverview Park.

Of the borough’s 34 docks, only four are leased by Tarentum residents.

“How do I go to the other 4,200 residents and tell them we’re going to spend their taxpayer money on something that they’re not allowed to use?” Dadowski asked.