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Fall/Winter 2007

Updated: 02/10/2010

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Washingtion County Sewage Council:

550 Washington Road
Washington, PA 15301

Located in Room 2 of the South Strabane Township Municipal Building.

Phone 724-223-0504
wcseptic.com

Thomas F. Wright, Chairman

Mount Pleasant Township is a member of the Washington County Sewage Council. All on-lot septic issues are handled by the WCSC according to DEP regulations.

Contact the WCSC concerning all on-lot sewage system new installation or repairs of a malfunctioning system. A sewage permit must be obtained prior to the issuance of a building permit.

The WCSC must issue a “site suitable” letter for all lots of any newly created subdivisions and can assist in the preparation of the Sewage Planning Module required by the DEP.

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Winter is on its way.
Please be advised that the up coming winter season is fast approaching. With that in mind the township public works department would like to remind everyone that it is very difficult to effectively plow snow and salt roads when vehicles are parked in the right of way. Please refrain from parking on the roads during snow storms so that the road crew can effectively do their job.

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Reminder, please check with the township Zoning Officer before starting any type of construction work to see if building permits and / or inspections might be needed.

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Don’t forget the township’s paper recycling bin located at the township building just off of McCarrell Road in Hickory. Acceptable items include newspapers; magazines; shopping catalogs; office papers and junk mail. Please do NOT include plastic; glass; metal and trash. Thank you and please take the time to make every page count!

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Remember, Waste Management is the contracted garbage hauler for Mt. Pleasant Township and their contact information is as follows:
WASTE MANAGEMENT 1-800-866-4460
625 Cherrington Parkway, Moon Twp., PA 15108

They are responsible for all billing issues and questions and concerns dealing with actual garbage collection issues.

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Taxes
The Earned Income Tax and Local Services Tax Collector for the township has remained the same for 2008 and that is: Berkheimer Tax Administrators
Wallace Building, Room 109
41 Macek Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
1-800-360-3075

With the school districts decision to change to another company, residents must continue to pay ½% to Berkheimer and ½% to the school districts collector. You must send 2 separate checks, one to each company.

The Fort Cherry School Districts' collector is:

Keystone Municipal Collections
118 Wendel Road
Irwin, PA 15642
866-539-1100

The former EMS (Emergency Municipal Services) Tax has changed to the LST (Local Services Tax) however; the rate has NOT changed and will remain at $10.00 per employee at this time.

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Gas Wells
The Board of Supervisors continues in their efforts to diminish the impact that the recent gas well activity has caused to the residents of this township. However, due to the restrictions put on local municipalities by the State Gas & Oil Well Act, as well as, the regulating authority of the Department of Environmental Protection there is not much that can be done due to the fact that all local ordinances are pre-empted by this Act. But rest assured that the board is exploring every avenue possible, with the help of the townships solicitor, to minimize the effects of this activity. If any resident has specific concerns relating to their health, safety or protection of property please direct your calls to:

Range Resources Corporation
380 Southpointe Blvd., Suite 300
Canonsburg, PA 15317
724-743-6700

MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources
100 Plaza Drive
Suite 102
P.O. Box 279
Atlasburg, PA 15004
Phone: 724-947-7108

Williams / Laurel Mountain Midstream
1550 Coraopolis Heights Road
Moon Township, PA 15108
Phone: 412-865-2140

EPA Tip Line - Gas Well Reporting
www.eyesondrilling@epa.gov

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Water * Water * Water
This is the most recent information that the township has regarding public water coming to Mt. Pleasant Township as released by The Office of Consumer Affairs. The PUC ruled in favor of public water which kicked off the 20 day comment period. The PUC’s final order was entered on September 27, 2007 which kicks off the appeal period and runs through October 30, 2007. There is a 2 year period for installation of water mains in Mt. Pleasant Township stemming from the final order date of September 27, 2007, so Pennsylvania American Water has until September 26, 2009 to exercise good faith efforts to complete the project. More information will be made available as it is released.

Update: Pennsylvania American Water’s Project is 99% completed and anyone desiring to “tap in” and connect to the main line should call PAW at 1-800-565-7292

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WHEN IT COMES TO PROPERTY TAXES TOWNSHIPS ARE DOING MORE WITH LESS AND ALL THINGS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL.

When it comes to property tax and who gets what, all things are not created equal. The reality is, Pennsylvania’s townships get a much smaller piece of the funding pie than their county and school district counterparts. Under state tax laws, school districts may levy up to 25 mills in taxes and, depending on their classification, counties can set their rates as high as 30 mills. Meanwhile, townships are only authorized to impose a maximum of 14 mills for general fund revenue. Of course, these rate caps were enacted to protect homeowners from outrageous tax burdens. Still, very few taxpayers may be aware of an exemption in the law that allows school boards to levy unlimited additional millage to pay salaries, benefits and debts. Townships and counties, on the other hand, must go to court for approval to impose an additional 5 mills in taxes, if necessary.

Given this scenario, it is not surprising that in 2000, real estate taxes accounted for 97% of county revenues, 85% of school district revenues, and only 31% of municipal tax revenues, according to the PA State Department of Community and Economic Development. An example would be that in one of Pennsylvania’s fastest growing townships, officials estimate that 9 cents out of every tax dollar goes to the municipality, 17 cents to the county and 74 cents to the school district. Those figures would be less for more rural areas such as Washington County.

That being said, the Supervisors of Mt. Pleasant Township strive to give the residents a wealth of services for those few pennies that include, Police and Fire protection, parks and recreation facilities, well maintained roads and infrastructure maintenance. We will maintain a piece of equipment for 20+ years before replacing it, We find ways to cut back and still deliver the services required by the residents and go to extreme lengths to avoid raising taxes. That is our commitment to our residents and community.

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From the Tax Collector:
Township taxes are mailed out each year on March 15th. Taxes may be paid at discount by May 15, at face until July 15th and at penalty after July 15th. Payments are made payable to Jamie L. Torboli, Mt. Pleasant Tax Collector and may be mailed to the tax collector at 4 Kelley Lane, Hickory, PA 15340, or paid in person. Normal officer hours are Saturday’s 9am - 11am during March 20 - May15, 2010 and August 21 - Dec.18, 2010.  Special hours are 5:30pm  - 7pm on May 4,6,11, & 13, 2010 and Oct. 5,7,12, & 15, 2010.  All other hours are made by appointment. Mrs. Torboli can also be reached at 724-356-2484. Leave a message if unavailable.