Dormont council president, mayor argue fate of Storm Water Authority
The low-lying area near the intersection of Annex and Kelton avenues in Dormont has been the target of flood-control efforts.
Athens Alley in Dormont has been the target of flood-control efforts.
During an agenda meeting Feb. 29, Dormont Council discussed Mayor Phil Ross’ veto of its 4-3 decision to eliminate the borough’s six-month-old Storm Water Authority.
The authority’s responsibilities include infrastructure upgrades mandated by state and federal agencies, which would be funded by a $108 annual fee for a Dormont home valued at $130,000.
Council president John Maggio has argued that the fees, as well as administrative expenses and an extra level of local government, were all unneeded. He said that the borough should eliminate the authority and do the work itself, adding that a budget surplus or 0.38-mil real estate tax increase could fund the work and would result in a five-year saving of $520,000, plus a $50-60 per year savings for home owners.
Maggio said that money “could purchase two police cars in one year, repair Athens Alley in five years or pay for a new fire truck in seven years.”
Ross argued that previous councils have not taken action to improve storm sewer infrastructure. “Current leadership did nothing between 2008 and 2010 when they were in control [of council] and I’m afraid further inaction will put the borough in danger of possible fines.”
Additionally, he believes flooding issues in the borough are too complex for an “ever changing council.” He believes a solution requires funding and expertise currently unavailable.
“In other words, I am not ready to give something that important to a council that may change in four years.”
Ross and Maggio engaged in a heated exchange when Ross questioned Maggio about his numbers and asked if he had spoken with members of the authority regarding its budget.
Maggio said, “The previous council president resigned and is now on the Storm Water Authority. When I asked him about issues related to the authority, he told me it was none of my business. So, no, I haven’t, but the facts are the facts and those are true numbers.”
Maggio continued, “Three months ago, the mayor said the reason we weren’t for an authority was we didn’t care about storm water. That’s not true. Last month, the mayor said the reason we didn’t care for the authority is because we didn’t get along with [Willard] McCartney (former council president & current authority member). That’s not true. You’re deflecting from the facts.”
“Those are your facts,” Ross replied.
Thirty borough residents attended the meeting and three spoke in favor of eliminating the authority, including Matt Hamilton who said, “It’s Un-American to give an unelected authority the power to tax. I believe organizing a public boycott against any future taxes levied by an unelected body is an action that should be considered. Upon receipt, make a photo copy, write ‘No taxation without representation,’ deliver it to my house and I will lead the charge and obtain counsel. I think we have a case for the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Council will attempt to overturn the mayor’s veto next week at the March meeting. Maggio and his supporters will need to convince one member to vote with them.
A five-vote majority is now needed to eliminate the authority.