Kittanning Borough Council hiked garbage rates another $2 per month at last night’s meeting.
KITTANNING - Borough Council last night put forth the final vote that will raise the rate they will charge to pick up your trash.
The current rate of $32 per month will be raised in November to $34. Kittanning now moves into one of the highest rates charged for trash pickup in the area. By contrast, Ford City currently charges $25 per month for garbage collection.
The rate was increased in order to pay for a new garbage truck that has been ordered and should be delivered by March 2018.
The majority of six council members who were present last night voted for the increase, except for Councilman David Croyle, who has been an opponent of raising any type of taxes and service fees. Croyle said last night that the Borough currently makes a profit of over $300,000. He felt if Borough employees could receive a pay increase as high as 5%, then local residents shouldn’t be penalized for the arbitrary decision made by council members.
Councilman Andy Peters at the beginning of the discussion several months ago called the rate increase “peanuts”.
Mayor Kirk Atwood has threatened to veto the rate increase. According to Solicitor Ty Heller, the Mayor must be presented with the ordinance. If he chooses to veto the ordinance, he has ten days to return the ordinance with his objections. Council will then need to have six votes to override the veto at the next public meeting on August 7. At this point, only Croyle and Council President Kim Fox has went on record opposing the increase. Councilman Chris Schiano is expected to be the swing vote.
Croyle said it is sad that borough residents must pay the price for financial mismanagement of council funds.
Croyle is correct.
The people of Kittanning elect these others, so the people of Kittanning must think that paying more, more and more is a good thing.
Hopefully, the mayor WILL veto this and demonstrate some fiscal responsibility toward the residents of the town.
And this area wants to attract newcomers to this area? Wasn’t it that “build it and they’ll come” thing that we heard? Never mind what it costs to live here.
Stand your ground on this issue Dave and Mr. Atwood.