Boaters who lease dock space in Tarentum could find themselves without a home on the water next spring.

Council is debating whether to renew the borough’s 34 slips while it addresses aged electric codes and other safety violations.

“It’s a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer,” said longtime boater Ray Fortuna, a resident of Bull Creek Road. “We’d like common courtesy. You can’t wait till Oct. 31 and tell us we have to go.”

Council is expected to discuss the lease renewals at its meeting Tuesday.

Dock leases cost $700 for the season, from May through October.

Earlier this year, electricity and water were shut off at the riverfront for what Tarentum Manager Dwight Boddorf called safety and liability concerns.

He said some of the boaters rig lights in the trees and construct small shorefront buildings that don’t follow borough code.

Others use tiny PVC pipes to run water, also a code violation.

Fortuna, a leaseholder for 49 years, isn’t buying it.

He said boaters spend countless hours along the water and are diligent in keeping the riverfront pristine.

“Every winter, you get high water and ice that pushes debris up onshore,” he said. “We clean it and put in a lot of work. Now they’re looking at it thinking, ‘That’s nice and pretty. Let us take it.’ ”

Officials argue the conditions are hazardous and the borough can’t risk someone getting hurt.

At the same time, the borough is under scrutiny from the state Department of Environmental Protection, which notified council in 2016 that permits were required at the waterfront.

The borough told leaseholders they would handle the paperwork, but the permits were never obtained. It’s unclear why.

Boddorf said different people were in charge then and there is no explanation for the misstep.

He has been working since spring to submit the necessary paperwork to the state and bring the borough into compliance.

The borough’s engineering firm, Gibson-Thomas, has contacted the state to get information for any permits needed.

They also are working on preliminary drawings of what can be done with the space, which will be presented to council and the public for input.

Council President Scott Dadowski said the borough has to look at the bigger picture, especially considering its partnership with Friends of the Riverfront on a potential trail segment through Riverview Park.

Council has to consider what impact that might have on riverfront property and all residents, not just boaters. He said that of the borough’s 34 docks, only four are leased by Tarentum residents.

He also said regardless of whether leases are renewed, boaters are required to remove their property each winter.

Ramps, sheds and other items are expected to be pulled out after the season, he said. There is a provision in the lease that allows docks and ramps to remain parallel to the riverbank, with approval of the manager.

“Whatever we’re going to do next year, whatever decision we make, we need to vote on how and when we are going to notify people,” he said.

Councilman Brian Snyder realizes the decision might not be a popular one.

“But at least they will know where they will stand,” Snyder said. “We should let them know as soon as possible.”

Fortuna urged council members to be honest with residents. He believes the possible shutdown has more to do with appearances than outdated utilities.

“Don’t tell us lies,” he said. “Tell us why you really want to do this. A bike trail won’t interfere with the docks at all. We don’t need to leave so Tarentum can be a bike destination.”