Tarentum proposes several large projects, no tax increase in 2021 budget

Tarentum has identified nearly $500,000 worth of large projects in its 2021 preliminary budget, but the budget does not include a property tax increase.

The proposed $8.8 million spending plan is up by about $468,000, or 5.6%, from the $8.3 million budget for this year.

The property tax rate would remain at 5.48 mills, which it has been since 2007, Borough Manager Michael Nestico said.

Council will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 to vote on the budget.

The borough expects to save about $400,000 through its new electric supply agreement with PSEG Energy Resources & Trade, which council approved in June and takes effect Jan. 1.

The borough has several large projects planned for next year, totaling $474,000. They include:

• $250,000 for demolitions, with $60,000 paid with a grant.

The borough is planning to demolish 23 residential properties, plus one detached garage. In seeking bids, the borough has broken the project into three packages, one with seven properties, one with eight, and the third with eight plus the garage. Bids are due by Dec. 21.

Those demolitions would follow 23 houses that were torn down under a $171,000 contract awarded in November 2019.

• $90,000 for a river dredging project to improve water treatment operations.

• $60,000 for a dump truck to be used by public works and the water department.

• $25,000 set aside for a pilot facade grant program that will be available to qualifying local businesses. The project is in development, with terms and conditions yet to be approved, Nestico said.

• $17,000 for environmental testing at the radio tower site property off Bakerstown Road, which Nestico said will give the borough a better understanding of any environmental hurdles to the development of the property.

The vacant property was owned by PPG before the borough acquired it, Nestico said. There has been concern the soil could be contaminated.

In November, council approved paying the borough’s engineering firm Gibson-Thomas up to $5,000 to research the history of the property ahead of soil testing.

In addition, a $226,000 grant announced in December to replace the traffic signal at Corbet Street and 10th Avenue is just now becoming available, Nestico said. The borough will execute the project and receive the funding in 2021, he said.

The borough also has $755,000 in tentative sewer system repair projects budgeted in 2021. They consist of $550,000 to install a storm sewer on East Seventh Avenue; $137,000 for a sanitary sewer lining project; and $68,000 for manhole rehabilitation.

Nestico said the borough was awarded a $100,000 grant toward the East Seventh Avenue storm sewer, and has applied for several grants totaling nearly $400,000 to help with the other costs.