Unity ponders bond issue for infrastructure, recreation upgrades

Unity’s supervisors are considering what could be the township’s first-ever bond issue to help finance infrastructure and recreational upgrades.

Supervisor Michael O’Barto stressed that township officials, at this point, are just looking into the feasibility of issuing one or more series of tax-exempt bonds.

At their reorganization meeting on Monday, they appointed PNC Capital Markets of Pittsburgh to serve as underwriter and Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott of Harrisburg to serve as bond counsel if the supervisors decide to pursue the financing. The consultants would not be paid unless Unity carries through with a bond issue.

O’Barto said supervisors haven’t determined a monetary total for a potential bond issue.

“The (interest) rates are so low right now, it may be advantageous for the township to do it,” he said.

Among big-ticket items bonds could help pay for are improvements to storm water facilities and paving of roads in some areas that O’Barto said haven’t been addressed for close to three decades.

“We don’t want to get behind the eight ball,” he said. “We don’t want to wake up one day and say we’re looking at the possibility of a tax increase.”

O’Barto said Unity also wants to provide handicapped-accessibility for township recreational facilities, including playground apparatus.

In an unrelated recreational project, the township applied on behalf of the Greater Latrobe School District for a state grant toward a proposed $165,752 upgrade of the playground at Mountain View Elementary School. There would be no investment of township funds in that project, with the school’s Parent Teacher Organization slated to provide needed matching funds.

In light of its role in obtaining funding for the project, Unity would be able to expand its summer recreational programming, conducted by the Greensburg YMCA, to the Mountain View playground.

Mylant remains chairman

At Monday’s meeting, the supervisors re-elected John Mylant as their chairman, with O’Barto serving as vice chairman.

The supervisors will continue to hold their voting meetings at 4:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

For the first time Monday, the supervisors conducted business from behind clear plastic shields attached to the dais at the front of their meeting room. “I feel like we’re in a penalty box,” O’Barto joked.

In keeping with pandemic-related health guidelines, the township has limited the number of audience members at meetings, requiring masks, social distancing and temperature checks.

The supervisors approved a benefit package for the township’s non-union employees but tabled action on setting their wages. O’Barto said the supervisors first want to meet individually with the workers.

The supervisors expressed condolences and observed a moment of silence for the late state Rep. Mike Reese, 42 who died Saturday following an apparent brain aneurysm.

O’Barto said the Republican legislator, a 12-year House veteran from Mt. Pleasant Township, “was very receptive to our township residents throughout the years that he served as a legislator. We’re going to miss him tremendously.”

“He was a great man, period,” said Mylant.