-CORAOPOLIS-
By Dianne Stuckman
Coraopolis council members agreed Oct. 6 to forgive a portion of a tax bill unknowingly delinquent for 14 years.
Although Janet Farris paid her school and county taxes in 2007 for her 4th Avenue beauty salon, for some reason she didn't pay the $892 owed to the borough.
Two weeks ago, Farris received a tax bill of $2,122 for the taxes, interest and penalties she’s owed from not paying the borough tax in 2007.
“She had no clue that she owed it until she got the letter from Jordan Tax Services,” Manager Ray McCutcheon said.
Her original tax bill may have been lost in the mail or she may have inadvertently set it aside, he said. But because she received no late notifications from the tax collectors at Pennsylvania Municipal Service Company (PAMS), council agreed to write off $922 in interest. Councilman Rudy Bolea said this action may prompt others to request write-offs, but that will only be done if legitimate errors were made.
"We can't be doing this for everybody,” he warned.
Councilman Chad Kraynyk agreed.
“This is solely because of an administrative error,” he said.
Jordan Tax Services replaced PAMS as the borough’s tax collectors last July.
New turning lane
The Montour Junction Sports Complex on State Avenue will soon add an eastbound turning lane to ease traffic congestion into its soccer facility. The complex will pay for construction of the lane and the cost to relocate water and sewer lines. Borough Manager Ray McCutcheon said seven additional fields at the complex are planned for construction, but on land just over the Robinson Township border. A traffic lightwill be installed at the complex site on State Avenue as soccer fields are completed.
Stop signs
Stop signs will soon be placed at Ridge, Vance and Edgewood streets and Devonshire Road to slow and deter speeding traffic.
“The nuisance factor, we hope, will play a part and drivers will take another street,” Councilman Rudy Bolea said. “It will be a deterrent.”
Resident Chad Kurzdorfer, of Vine Street, made a plea last month to the board to install speed bumps near his home to curb traffic speed. However, during the following meeting Null said speedbumps were not a viable choice because PennDOT does not permit them on hills with more than an 8% steepness grade and the hill in question exceeds that.
Library board
Michael Wargula was appointed to the Coraopolis Library Board. Wargula, a Coraopolis resident, works at Questeq providing technology support to libraries and educational institutions. The term length of the non-paid position is undetermined.
Chess, Wood streets
added to repaving list
Council members voted unanimously to add Chess Street to their resurfacing plan this season. The brick street is currently closed due to water damage to the roadway. Asphalt paving and waterline replacement will begin soon, extending from 5th Avenue to West End Avenue. Cost to the borough will be $140,000.
Jet Jack Inc, of Oakdale, was awarded the bid, as well as the bid to resurface Wood Street, which is expected to begin this week. Wood Street will be repaved between Hiland and 7th avenues.