Home rule charter change makes primary ballot
writer@thealmanac.net
At the March 11 Bethel Park Council meeting, Solicitor Robert McTiernan confirmed that a primary election ballot referendum question concerning enacting a .34 real estate tax for the purpose of constructing a new fire station and to pay the operating costs for the all volunteer fire company has been approved by the Allegheny County Bureau of Elections.
Fire company members will hold a second public meeting on the referendum at 7 p.m. April 18 at the fire station on Brightwood Road.
Bethel Park Council members also adjusted the real estate tax rate for 2013 from 2.03 mills to 1.89.
The amendment to adjust the real estate tax rate was necessitated by the Allegheny County reassessment and the need to keep the municipal tax rate revenue neutral, municipal officials explained. The adjusted millage rate means that a resident with a home valued at $100,000 will pay $198 in real estate taxes for 2013. The municipality will send out tax bills on July 1.
In other business:
• Bethel Park officials are in the process of planning this year’s Memorial Day Parade. Councilman Jim McLean said this year’s ceremony will recognize Mayor Cliff Morton, a Marine Corps veteran. The municipality plans to have the banners honoring local veterans hung before Memorial Day, McLean said, adding that the deadline for ordering a banner is April 30. Information on the banner program is available on the municipal Web site and on the American Legion Post 760 Web site.