Fawn property taxes hold steady for 25th consecutive year

The Fawn supervisors hit a milestone with the approval of their 2023 budget: The township has not seen a property tax increase in 25 years.

“Everything is staying the same,” Township Secretary Pam Ponsart said.

Supervisors approved the $1.8 million budget, holding the tax rate steady at 3.04 mills. The owner of a home assessed at $100,000 again will pay $304.

This year’s spending plan is pared down while supervisors wait for funding to come through to repair a landslide along Sun Mine Road.

A 150-foot section of the road crumbled in early summer, near where it splits with Thompson Road. The road is open, but barriers are in place to keep motorists away from hazards, Ponsart said.

Repairs are expected to cost at least $600,000, according to township officials.

Work includes replacing a 150-foot retaining wall.

Earlier this fall, the township was awarded a $105,000 grant from the state Commonwealth Financing Agency. Supervisors have applied for a second grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to put toward the project.

“Everything is on hold until we see what happens with the landslide,” Ponsart said. “Then we’ll see what we can do.”

Supervisors were expecting to repave Thompson Road, but that project is on hold until Allegheny County completes two bridge replacements.

A project that will move forward without delay is a new roof for the municipal building.

Supervisors approved an $18,700 contract with Troyer’s Construction for a new roof and gutters.

Ponsart said work couldn’t wait, as the roof leaks during heavy rains.

The project could happen as soon as next month, she said.

“We thought we’d have to wait until spring, but they said if they get three nice days, they can get it done,” Ponsart said.