Upper Burrell fire hydrant fee to jump slightly next year

Most Upper Burrell property owners will pay a few dollars more next year for fire hydrants.

Township supervisors approved the municipality’s 2025 budget by a 2-0 vote, with Ken Slahtovsky absent, on Wednesday night. It keeps property taxes at 12 mills, but increases its fire hydrant fee by 0.01 mill. Officials attribute that increase to higher rates from the township’s water supplier, the Municipal Authority of the City of New Kensington.

All but 182 of Upper Burrell’s more than 1,400 properties pay the fire hydrant fee, which is charged to properties in close proximity to a fire hydrant. That will vary anywhere from a $1 to $7 increase based on property assessments. Properties already charged the fee’s $40 yearly maximum would see no increase, officials said.

A home assessed at $22,000 — the median assessed value in Upper Burrell — currently pays $4.40 for the fire hydrant tax and would pay $6.60 in 2025. That same property owner would continue to pay $264 for real estate taxes.

Supervisor Chairman Ross G. Walker III said there are no major projects or expenditures included in the budget.

It includes a little more than $425,000 for the police department, which would pay for three full-time officers. The township currently has two full-time officers. It allocates $92,000 for fire protection, including a $20,000 direct contribution to the volunteer fire department.

“We’re still about the lowest taxes in the whole Valley, as far as municipal taxes,” Walker said. “It’s the best place to live in Westmoreland County.”