Wright Twp. votes approve fire tax hike
The results of a primary election referendum in Wright Township should provide the township’s volunteer fire department with financial stability as well as the ability to upgrade apparatus.
Township voters voted in favor of increasing the municipality’s fire tax to 0.5 mills, an increase of 0.3 mills. The vote was 857 in favor and 633 opposed.
Revenue from the proposed increase, can be used by the Wright Township Volunteer Fire Department solely for purchase and maintenance of fire apparatus. The additional 0.3 mills will be added to property taxes in 2023. Currently, the township’s fire tax rate is 0.2 mills. The township also levies an additional 0.8 mills in property tax for the general fund purposes, bringing the total property tax rate to 1 mill.
The tax increase is expected to generate approximately $170,000 additional annual income for the fire company. For a home assessed at $200,000, the increase would amount to an additional $60 per year.
Prior to the election, fire company president Gary Price told me approval of the referendum will allow for replacement and consolidation of apparatus today and into the foreseeable future. He added the additional revenue will allow the department to eliminate its annual fund drive mailers sent to township residents.
Wright Twp. rec board requests pickle ball lines
A request from the chairperson of the Wright Township recreation board for the township to consider painting pickle ball lines on the township tennis courts received a lukewarm reception at the May meeting of the board of supervisors
Laurel Prohaska told supervisors she has received many phone calls and emails from residents asking for pickle ball courts in the township. She pointed out Rice Township, which has one heavily used pickle ball court, painted pickle ball lines on one of its tennis courts, allowing the court to be used for both sports. Prohaska pointed out in Rice Township pickle ball players bring their own nets to use the tennis courts. She said many players have their own nets.
Acknowledging the Crestwood School District uses the township courts, Prohaska said she checked with the PIAA and was told the state high school sports governing body has no objection to the pickle ball lines on tennis courts.
However, board chairman Don Zampetti pointed out the school district is contributing $50,000 toward the re-paving of the lower tennis courts and he doubts the school district would want the pickle ball lines on the courts players use for practice and games in the fall and spring. Prohaska said if the lines are painted on the lighted courts, they could be used in the evenings as well as during the day and throughout the summer when school is in session.
Zampetti asked what happened to the plan to paint pickleball lines on the ice rink floor. Prohaska and secretary/treasurer Pamela Heard noted that is being addressed as part of the township’s recreation master plan project which is underway.
Zampetti agreed to speak to Crestwood tennis coach Scott Lenio and district officials about Prohaska’s suggestion.
‘Trivia for Our Fighters’ event set
The Broadway Tavern is hosting a “Trivia for Our Firefighters” fundraiser for Mountain Top Hose Company No. 1 on June 2 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per person and includes a Mexican food buffet catered by Jzapata Mexican Food Truck. To reserve a spot call 570 905-4098. Sponsorships also are available.
Hose company president David Hourigan tells me the department has finished work on its bazaar grounds which is now available for rental for parties, picnics, reunions, and other events. Contact the hose company for more information on rentals.
Dorrance Twp. addressing short-term rentals
Dorrance Township solicitor Donald Karpowich told supervisors at their May meeting that he has drafted an ordinance to address short-term rentals, including zoning areas they would be allowed. He also added drafted an ordinance regulating solar energy systems. He provided supervisors with copies of both draft ordinances and hopes they can be given final review at the board’s June meeting. The next step is to submit the ordinances to the planning commission and county for their review and comments.
Karpowich also suggested the township address regulations concerning electric generating facilities used to generate electricity for private use or for power sold to the power grid. The solicitor noted these systems are not regulated by the state Public Utility commission (PUC), can be very noisy and presently can be placed in any zoning district in the township. Supervisors agreed regulations on these systems should be added to the township’s zoning ordinance.
New by-laws for compost site
The Mountain Top Council of Governments (COG) board met last week and adopted new by-laws and the agreement for operation of the compost site in the Crestwood Industrial Park. The new by-laws were necessitated when Fairview Township. Dropped out of the COG at the end of last year. Wright and Dorrance townships are the only remaining members of the COG and Dorrance does not participate in the compost facility.
Zampetti reported the machine known as “The Beast” which is used to grind yard waste into compost is still out of commission. The machine, which has been inoperable since last fall, is at Burick’s Garage awaiting installation of a new clutch, Zampetti reported. Meanwhile, there is a mountain of yard waste at the compost facility waiting to be ground into compost.
The compost site is open Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits are required. Cost is $25 for Wright Twp. residents and $50 for residents of other Mountain Top municipalities.
Access to Ice Lakes for Memorial Day
The public access for the Ice Lakes in Rice Township will be open for Memorial Day weekend. Township officials tell me the access area, located on Nuangola Road, will be open beginning Friday, May 27.
