Cheswick's sewage, garbage rates will increase in 2024

Cheswick property owners will see an increase in their garbage and sewer rates next year.

Cheswick Council approved the borough’s 2024 budget, which holds the line on taxes but increases sewage and refuse rates.

The budget totals nearly $2.77 million. About $1.55 million is allotted for the borough’s general fund, $575,000 for the water fund, $474,000 for the sewage fund and $165,000 toward the garbage collection fund.

Councilman Frank Meledandri Jr. said the fixed sewage rate for borough customers will increase $9.41 per quarter from $78.62 to $88.03. The increase covers Cheswick’s allocation for a project from the Lower Valley Sewage Authority.

Garbage collection rates will increase $4 per quarter from $45 to $49. Officials attribute that rate change to cover an increase by Cheswick’s garbage collector, Vogel Disposal Service.

The millage rate will remain at 5.85 mills. A property owner with the borough’s median assessed property value of $106,200 will continue to pay $502.33 annually for borough taxes.

Budget expenditures include a new traffic signal along Pittsburgh Street, near Sheetz, and waterline replacements and street repaving on Pine and Hill avenues. The costs of those projects have been reduced because the borough secured grants to help pay for them, officials said.

Cheswick will pay just more than $260,000 as its share to the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department, which it shares with East Deer and Springdale townships.