Tax, sewer rates to remain the same in Ross

The Ross Township Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the 2022 township budget on Dec. 6.

The 2022 budget total is $40,498,181, compared to the 2021 budget total of 39,685,050 – an increase of $813,131. The largest increase, 12.5%, was capital projects, more specifically, road and building improvements.

“Most of (the) increased expenditures lies in the general and capital funds,” said Dan Berty, director of finance for Ross. “For the general fund, the township will see a $393,000 increase in debt service payments (annual bond repayment), and for the capital fund, there is a $432,000 increase in capital infrastructure projects, specifically an increase to the road program and building improvements.”

The tax and sewer rates will remain the same for 2022 with no increase.

“To fund these increases … from trend analysis, the township is budgeting increased tax collections (revenues) from earned income taxes, mercantile tax, business privilege tax, and real estate transfer tax,” Berty said. “Also, an increase in operating transfers from the sewer and liquid fuels funds.”

He also said that the capital fund will supplement some of its expenditure increases by carrying over fund balances for a couple of items that weren’t completed this year, primarily bridge replacements and slope stabilizations.

Resolution 2395, which was updated with the 2022 wages for township employees, includes township manager wage at $106,852, assistant manager wage of $92,500 and chief of police wage of $135,335. Wages will be effective Jan. 1.

Residents honored

The two Ross residents were honored at the meeting and presented with plaques commemorating their accomplishments.

Libby Gasior, the North Hills High School head softball coach, won the 2021 PIAA/NFHS Coach of the year award.

“Being named the 2020-21 NFHS/PIAA Pennsylvania Girls Softball Fast Pitch Coach of the Year has been an unbelievable honor for me,” Gasior said. “While this is undeniably an individual award, it would not have been attainable if not for the hardworking, talented players of the 2021 team that I had the honor of coaching and the dedicated staff that surrounds our program.”

Rhonda Campanella was selected as the 2021 Durachko-Gottfried Ross Township Citizen of the Year.

“[Receiving the award] is an honor,” Campanella said. “To be associated with [Dr. Peg Durachko and her late husband Dr. Richard Gottfried] is something I will forever cherish.”

Campanella worked to help serve more than 27,000 meals to students who were not able to access them due to school closures after the start of the covid-19 pandemic.

“None of this would have been possible without the coordinated effort of the North Hills School District food service director, Lindsey Radsvin and her wonderful staff at Grab’nGo Delivery,” Campanella said.

Campanella also gave credit to Lynne Scuilli, director of North Hills Cares, and the team of volunteers.

The board of commissioners’ next meeting will be the reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 at the municipal building.