Tarentum boaters say borough deadline to retrieve docks is 'impossible'

People who have dock space along the Allegheny River in Tarentum are asking for added time to pull their items from the water and shoreline after council eliminated leases until further notice.

Council in August said leases will not be approved until the borough has a finalized riverfront development plan, which could someday include public and private docks, a public fishing pier and walking trail.

They told boaters to dismantle sheds, decks, bars and other amenities by Oct. 31.

“I know you guys don’t know anything about the river, but to get rid of boat docks in October is next to impossible,” said Ray Fortuna of Fawn, who has rented space near Riverview Memorial Park for 49 years.

“I have $40,000 worth of docks down there in nine, 24-foot sections. To transport one section at a time is a long, time-consuming thing. I can’t saw them all up and haul them up over the hillside.”

Council closed the riverfront to docks because, they said, the area is mired with safety hazards, a lack of state permits and an electrical code that is two decades out of date.

The issue of an extension could be on the agenda when council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said if council approves it, leaseholders would need to sign a new deadline agreement.

“If someone didn’t sign, it would revert to the existing contract,” he said.

Jonas Shearer of Fawn said his family started boating in Tarentum in the 1970s.

“This is a lot to deal with. You’re talking about 50 years worth of stuff, and to get all of that out of there by October is not easy,” Shearer said.

“I’m disappointed with the whole situation. A little leniency would be appreciated.”

Fortuna said boaters could be forced to scrap their docks if more time isn’t allowed.

Spring is a much better time of year for those looking to sell dock materials.

“That’s when there will be a market for used docks,” he said. “We have a lot of money in these things, and no one wants to buy them right now because they have to find a place to store them.

“You want us out?” Fortuna asked. “We’ll leave, but give us time.”