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NV Twp. Commissioners OK 2023 Budget
No tax increase, but sewerage rates increasing $1.50
By Dianne Ribecca
The Tube City Almanac
December 19, 2022
Posted in: North Versailles Twp. News
There will be no local property tax increase for North Versailles Twp. residents in 2023 — but sewerage rates will be increasing slightly.
Commissioners this month approved next year’s $8 million spending plan with a property tax rate of 7.25 mills and a fire-tax of 0.50 mills. The fire tax helps fund buildings, vehicles, equipment and operations of the township’s volunteer fire companies and also helps pay for the training of fire personnel.
The 2023 budget is slightly less — about 1 percent — than the 2022 budget. (PDF download)
The commissioners also approved an increased budget of $4.68 million for the North Versailles Twp. Sanitary Authority. Sewerage rates will increase by $1.50 per 1,000 gallons of water used.
In other business, a motion was approved to condemn structures at 434 Woodland Rd., 403 Meadowbrook Dr., and 731-733 Greensburg Pike. Before tearing down the structures on 434 Woodland Road and 403 Meadowbrook Drive, an asbestos inspection has to happen. Township commissioners approved a bid of $1,050 from Allegheny Global Environmental based on township engineer Dave Gilliland’s recommendation.
During the Road Report, Commissioner Sam Juliano assured the township that snow-plow trucks and salt were well-prepared for winter maintenance.
Township Manager Joe Varhola reported that residents have complained about icy conditions on Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard, near the U.S. Marine Corps & Naval Reserve Center.
Water runoff is ponding on the street and turning to ice during cold weather, becoming dangerous for motorists and pedestrians, he said.
Varhola confirmed that the township had taken steps to address this problem. They have conducted engineering assessments of the site. Based on those assessments, they have contacted the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, which has water lines in the area, and have forwarded the engineering reports to Senator Jim Brewster’s office and the state Department of Transportation.
Other business included: Approving payment to West Wilmerding Volunteer Fire Dept. for monthly bills of $10,667.97; granting payment to Crestas Volunteer Fire Co. #4 for monthly bills of $2,788.49; approving a new contract with township police officers represented by Teamsters Local Union 205; approving a new agreement with Evashavik Law, LLC, to continue serving as township solicitor at an hourly rate of $170, effective January 2023.
Commissioners set the January meeting for 7 p.m. Jan. 18, instead of the usually scheduled third Thursday of the month.
Dianne Ribecca is program director of Tube City Online Radio and a member of the board of directors of Tube City Community Media Inc. She may be reached at dmribecca@gmail.com
Originally published December 19, 2022.
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