In Brief: 3rd-grade author, senior citizen rebate and more in Pine, Richland

Pine-Richland 3rd grader pens fantasy novel

A Pine-Richland third grader who loves to read and was inspired by her teacher’s writing assignments published her first paperback novel.

The fantasy fiction book titled “Magic Alliances: Three Days Dark Magic” was written by Riya Jhamb, who attends Eden Hall Upper Elementary.

The book chronicles two friends and their quest to save the fairy queen Salamerine from the evil trolls.

Riya said she is inspired by the things she reads. But she said her true motivation to write started with the assignments from her teacher Patricia Perine, who gave her an opportunity to express her creativity and imagination and reinforced her love for writing.

Riya donated copies of the book to the elementary school library in the hope that other children will enjoy reading the book and become inspired to write their own.

“Magic Alliance” is available on Amazon.

Senior citizen tax rebate available

Pine-Richland has approved a rebate for senior citizens of up to $650 depending on their annual income.

To qualify, applicants must have lived in Pine or Richland and owned a home that was their primary residence there in all of 2020.

Applicants also must have turned 65 on or before Dec. 31, 2019.

The rebates are based on annual income. People who made $8,000 or less are eligible for a maximum rebate of $650. The amount of the rebate drops for people who earn more money. The deadline to apply is June 30.

More information, as well as links to apply and the scale used to determine the size of the rebate, are available on the district website.

Baseball, softball registration open

The Pine Richland Baseball and Softball Association registration for the 2021 spring season is now open for youth ages 3-18 in the Townships of Pine and Richland. New for this year, t-ball now includes ages 3-5. For more information or to register, see: prbsa.com.

School board puts cap on any tax hike

The Pine-Richland School Board has until the end of June to decide whether a property tax increase is needed to fund school operations for the 2021-22 school year.

But the board has already agreed that if a tax increase is warranted, it will not be higher than the 3%, which is the maximum increase allowed by the state without requiring approval through a voter referendum.

This resolution states the school board is not planning to raise the real estate tax rate for the next fiscal year beyond the approved Act 1 index for the Pine-Richland School District.

The so-called Act 1 index used to set the maximum allowed tax increase is calculated by the state for each school district.

Links to details about how the index works is contained in the board’s agenda for the Jan. 11 meeting.

Pine Township looking for multiple volunteers

Pine Township has two volunteer opportunities — one on the Planning Commission and the other on the Environmental Advisory Council.

For more information regarding the Planning Commission, contact Larry Kurpakus, Assistant Township Manager and Director of Land Development & Code Administration.

For more information about the Environmental Advisory Council post, contact John Swinderman, Code Enforcement Officer. Applications of Interest can be submitted online.

Richland seeking to fill open water authority seat

Richland Township is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Richland Township Water Authority’s board of directors.

The board oversees the operation of the authority, which distributes water to residents of Richland Township and Valencia borough and portions of Adams, Hampton and West Deer townships.

The water is purchased in bulk from West View Water. The authority’s employees maintain the waterlines and respond to customer inquiries.

Interested applicants for the volunteer position should send a letter of interest and a resume to township manager Dean Bastianinni, 4019 Dickey Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044.

Questions should be directed to the township office at 724-443-5921.