Meadville ponders tax hike

The Meadville Board of Aldermen will consider increasing the town’s assessed millage rate as part of the municipality’s fiscal year 2023 operational budget proposal to be considered next month.

The five-member panel voted unanimously last week to set its mandated annual budget hearing for 5 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 6 in the town hall council chambers on Main Street.

Per state statute, residents will be allotted a reasonable amount of time during the hearing to voice their opinions on the proposed tax increase.

Town Clerk Leslie Thompson confirmed municipal leaders are studying the possibility of increasing ad valorem taxes by 1.5 mills for the budget cycle slated to begin on Oct. 1.

If approved, the town’s assessment to taxpayers would climb from the existing 28.5 mills to 30 mills and would impact the assessed value of homes, real property, automobiles and utilities along with business fixtures and equipment.

During July, neighboring Bude had proposed a possible 5 mills tax increase in that community with mostly negative reactions offered during that town’s public hearing held on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Meadville officials said they have not adjusted ad valorem taxes in several years, and were looking at the possible increase to address higher costs the town faces in terms of the goods and services it needs to operate.

In other business, the Meadville Board of Aldermen took up the following business on Tuesday, Aug. 9:

• Heard a presentation by Bank of Franklin President and CEO Brad Jones regarding renovations to the financial institution’s headquarters on Main Street.

“A new roof is going over the existing roof and Entergy requirements are that you can’t build within 10 feet of their electrical wires,” Jones said.

“Well, the bank’s roof is already within 10 feet because it was built before all of the regulations that have been put into place.”

Jones said the new pitched roof on the bank will have an overhang that will create an issue where the local power company is concerned.

“We have looked at a bunch of different options with my first choice being to go underground from the last pole behind the bank to the other side of the street in front,” he continued.

“That sounds really easy, but it’s not. The cost was extremely prohibitive because the town has a (sewer) lift station nearby and that would necessitate boring twice with double conduit being put into place (to cover the wiring).

“Another alternative would have included removing one light pole directly in front of the bank, but putting a couple of additional utility poles on the courthouse side and behind the bank.”

Jones said the solution Entergy ultimately offered — which he characterized as the best of all the alternatives — is to put a new pole in a parking spot across from the bank closest to Main Street along Walnut Street.

“It’s on the opposite side of the street and in a city-owned parking space,” he continued. “This will prevent us from having to put another pole on the courthouse side. It’s not what I wanted to do, but I couldn’t see having three power poles in the flower bed across the street either.”

Jones said — from the bank’s perspective — getting those power lines and poles relocated was vital so that work can move forward with renovations.

“We’re probably two to three weeks behind schedule,” he went on to say. “We need to be able to bring a crane in to put steel beams on top of the building to support the roof. That steel can’t be brought in until the power lines are relocated.”

Jones said the bank’s contractors will install concrete bollards around the relocated electric pole on the “Torrey Corner” side to eliminate the risk of vehicles bumping or colliding with it.

Board attorney Will Halford said utilizing the parking space for the placement of the new pole by Entergy would not unreasonably hinder traffic, and board members voted unanimously to allow its placement and vacate the single parking space.

Jones said he was appreciative for the town’s help with the issue and said work would proceed on the project as soon as Entergy can program the work into its schedule.

• In an unrelated matter, town leaders voted to approve the purchase and installation of a new utility pole to support the traffic light and control box at the corner of Main and Walnut streets.

Mayor Lane B. Reed said an inspection of the pole found it to be rotten at the top and could result in the collapse of the traffic light in the future.

The scope of work will require the existing pole and a portion of the existing concrete sidewalk to be removed to allow for the placement of the new pole — a project that is anticipated to cost around $5,000.

• Discussed attaining drainage easements from adjoining landowners related to municipal stormwater pipe repairs along Oak Street between First and Second streets to eliminate flood concerns.

• Tabled action on a request by Alderman Bart Jones related to an amendment of the town’s golf cart use ordinance until Halford could review legal language and road eligibility in possibly expanding the use of such vehicles.

• Discussed the condition of a burned residential structure on Walnut Street in Meadville and whether the situation constitutes a public nuisance and potential health risk to the community.

• Agreed to seek proposals for a representative to oversee the town’s water and wastewater operations.

• Approved a right-of-way usage agreement for Atmos Energy to work on gas lines along Oak and First streets.

• Thompson reported 12 past-due utility accounts in the town.

The next regularly scheduled Meadville Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13 at town hall.