New Castle News

Local News

Discussion

September 27, 2012

Neshannock to raise sewer rates slightly

Nancy Lowry New Castle News

NEW CASTLE — Neshannock Township sewer rates will be hiked by 35 cents per month beginning at the new October sewer billing cycle.

The increase covers the new billing charges.

This summer, the supervisors contracted with Software Solutions of Gibsonia to send sewer bills to township residents. The Pennsylvania-American Water Co. billed residents for water and sewer use since 2009, but notified the supervisors it would not do so after October. The new billing firm was hired in July.

The township also will lease-to-own two dump trucks for nearly the cost of one vehicle.

Accepting the low bid from U.S. Municipal Supply/Hunters, the township will lease two trucks for $52,181.46 per year for both trucks over a five-year period.

The lease will be paid from the $54,000 liquid fuels allocation the township receives each year from the county. This money must be used for equipment.

The supervisors also hired Cody Hosfelt of West Middlesex and Tom Jovenitti of Slippery Rock, each at $7.25 per hour, as temporary seasonal employees at Hess Ice Rink and Pearson Park, effective immediately. They are expected to work on weekends and evenings.

They also authorized attorney Joseph Linehan of Pittsburgh to discuss potential and current legal issues with the Lawrence County Economic Development Corp., and adopted a lock box ordinance for the fire department.

The supervisors reviewed and accepted the township’s 2011 financial statement.

Robert Izzo and Bill Hauser of Philip Weiner and Co. prepared and presented the document, which examines the township’s assets and debts of 2011. This include $5,363,913 assets in “government activities” and $21,515,411 in “business assets” which is the property of the sewer department. The statement also reviewed pension funds.

Izzo said the document included “no findings.”

It also looks at the municipality’s $23,876,179 long-term debt, or bond obligations. These totals include $5.4 million owed for government activities and services including money still owed on bonds used to finance the municipal building, and $18,458,794 owed on the sewer project.

The sewer debt includes about $3.5 million the township had to pay to hire a second contractor to complete the Millennium Park sewer after the first firm hired defaulted. The township is pursuing the original contractor through legal channels.

Izzo also commended the supervisors for “rolling over” several separate funds into the general fund last year.

He said that action resulted in less work for the staff.

(Have you signed up for our free text alerts yet? Get daily weather, breaking news, Friday Night football scores and school news sent right to your phone! CLICK HERE.)

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • 04.jpg Movie Memories, Part 3: The Hi-Lander and Cinema theaters were the last two New Castle movie houses to go dark

    Although the downtown once was dotted with movie theaters, one of the last to close was well up the North Hill. The 750-seat Hi-Lander opened in 1952, the result of a joint effort by two pairs of area drive-in owners: Al Tate and John Wincek (Highway 51 near Darlington, and John Favorite and Joe Glorioso (Blue Sky near Zelienople).

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow 2 Stories

  • No tax hike in Union school budget

    The Union Area School Board has introduced a $10.6 budget with no tax increase. If the $10,585,494 spending plan is approved, it will be the third year without a tax increase in the district. The property tax is at 14.42 mills.

    May 22, 2013

  • STATE_JohnBorovilos.jpg Movie Memories, Part 2: Monsters, cowboys and ultimately, sex, were staples at State Theater

    Second in a series: Daily through Memorial Day, the New Castle News will be looking back at some of the city’s now-defunct movie theaters. These movie houses will be seen primarily through the eyes of New Castle natives with ties to them — including “Mister Movie” himself, Leo Mickey. Today: The State Theater
     

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow 1 Story

  • VICTOR_01.jpg Movie Memories, Part 1: Victor one of many long-gone local theaters

    First in a series: Today through Memorial Day, the New Castle News will be looking back at some of the city’s now-defunct movie theaters. These movie houses will be seen primarily through the eyes of New Castle natives with ties to them — including “Mister Movie” himself, Leo Mickey. Today: The Victor
     

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo 1 Slideshow

  • vote.jpg Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow

    So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Relay for Life set for next week

    New Castle’s Relay for Life will kick off at 7 p.m. May 31 on the track at Shenango High School’s Glen “Pop” Johnston Stadium. Relay for Life is an organized, overnight fundraising walk for the American Cancer Society.

    May 20, 2013

  • Sorg.jpg New Castle News names new publisher

    Sharon A. Sorg is no stranger to hometown newspapers. It’s no surprise, then, that she’s been selected to lead the newspaper in her hometown. Sorg has been named publisher of the New Castle News, which is just a few miles from her residence in Pulaski Township.

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Disney.tiff Rockin’ Recess: Laurel youngsters earn a morning of music, health education

    Hands clapping. Arms waving. Crowd chanting. That was the scene at Laurel Elementary School yesterday morning. Laurel beat out four other school districts in the UPMC For Kids and Radio Disney-sponsored “Attendance Counts” competition.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Memorial service scheduled

    The annual Croton Memorial Service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Croton Honor Roll. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly will be the guest speaker.

    May 17, 2013

  • Russo.jpg John Russo Jr. Remembered: Colleagues salute former councilman

    Honest and dedicated. That is how those who knew John Russo Jr. well described him after his passing Tuesday. Russo served as a member of New Castle City Council for more than 17 years at four different times from 1985 through 2009.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo