Tarentum brings back agenda sessions to boost discussion

In an effort to spur more discussion and allow extra time to answer questions that arise on borough issues, Tarentum Council has decided to return to having two meetings a month moving forward.

An agenda meeting will be the first Tuesday of the month, and a regular meeting will take place the second Tuesday. Both begin at 6 p.m.

“We used to do it, and we got away from it for a couple of years,” Council President Scott Dadowski said. “There’s always something to talk about, and there’s some big decisions to be made. So I think it’s important that we get back to two meetings.”

The next agenda meeting is scheduled for March 7.

There will be a few months when only one meeting will occur. Those likely will happen on Election Day and when a holiday falls on a Tuesday.

Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said the agenda meeting aims to generate conversation.

“The point is to add a layer of transparency with how things get voted on in local government,” he said. “It provides more opportunity for people to ask questions.”

It also gives council a chance to research answers.

“You don’t want to rush important decisions,” he said.

Nearby Harrison also recently reinstituted its monthly agenda meetings, with Commissioner Chuck Dizard saying the discussions are proving to be a useful tool.

Harrison stopped having agenda sessions in 2019 on a trial basis, but then the covid-19 pandemic hit and canceled all in-person meetings.

Harrison Commissioners Chairman Gary Meanor said he was in favor of bringing back the agenda sessions.

Boddorf added, “During covid, it didn’t make sense to have two meetings. But, now that we’re getting back to normalcy, that extra time for discussion is good for everyone.”