Irwin holds the line on taxes, plans sewage rate hike

Irwin property owners will not pay higher property taxes in 2020, but will pay slightly more in their sewage bills.

Council recently adopted a tentative general fund budget of $3.9 million, holding the line on real estate taxes at 20 mills.

The borough anticipates starting the new year with a fund balance of about $160,000, based on the tentative budget adopted on Nov. 19.

Residents will see their quarterly sewage bills rise by about $3.15 to about $53 quarterly, said Stacie Santimyer, assistant borough manager.

The 2020 budget does provide for 3% raises for the full-time police officers, as outlined in a new three-year contract the borough reached with the Irwin Borough Police Officers Relief Association.

Chief Roger Pivirotto, who is covered under a separate contract, will be paid $65,672 in 2020, a 3% raise from $63,761.

The budget also sets aside money to hire a part-time code enforcement officer who will focus on blight and code enforcement issues, said Shari Martino, borough manager.

“We want to hire a part-time code enforcement officer as soon as we can. Early next year would be nice,” said Council President Rick Burdelski.

A committee has been formed to write the job description then the borough has to advertise and conduct interviews of the candidates, Burdelski added.

Blight was one of the issues discussed during a Nov. 13 town hall forum borough officials conducted.

“We really want to dig into it,” Martino said.

Justin Kachmarek, the planning and zoning manager, is responsible for code enforcement and zoning variances, as well as inspection of rental units. The new code enforcement officer will answer directly Kachmarek, and both will report to the manager, Martino said. All building code and inspections will remain Kachmarek’s jurisdiction, Martino said.

The final budget is scheduled to be approved at a special meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 19.