Glassport to address sewage rate increases

A town hall will be held after the next workshop meeting set for 6 p.m. Jan. 13.

Glassport Borough Council will hold a town hall to discuss possible sewage rate increases.

The town hall will be held after council’s next workshop meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 13.

No action will be taken, during the informational meeting, said council president Anthony Colecchi.

“We’re just going to discuss why the sewage plant rates were increased,” said borough Manager Elaina Skiba.

It’s all part of the borough’s ongoing negotiations with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding the sewage consent order.

Skiba, Colecchi, Councilman Bob Miskanin and other officials recently met to go over the consent decree and agreement order for the sewage plant.

“It was very involved,” said Skiba.

She said the DEP is requiring the borough sign off on a contract for this order and the fines for any failure to comply will range from $250 a day to $2,000 an occurrence, she said.

Some on council believe the DEP is too strict.

The borough, the solicitor and engineer have until Tuesday to return their comments. They also discussed the long-term control plan with DEP, which includes the televising of all the sewage lines that will be due to them at the end of the year, said Skiba.

The first major project DEP is mandating is the separating of Detroit Hollow, which will be required to be completed by Oct. 1, 2030. That project is expected to cost more than $1 million.

Budget vote

In other business, there will be a special voting meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 19 to vote on the 2026 general fund and sewer revenue fund budget.

Council will also vote on a motion for the international construction codes and international property maintenance codes.

Officials will address a motion to award the construction contract for the remainder of the HVAC work on the borough building for $105,375 and Glenn Engineering’s 10% engineering costs. Colecchi said it will be paid through a Local Share Account grant from county gaming revenue.

Council will also address the Street Reconstruction Project for $404,149 through state funds.

In other business

In other business council announced and discussed the following:

• The borough’s Christmas parade was held Nov. 29. Officials thanked Andrea Foster and her family and all the volunteers that made the event a success.

• There will be a motion to vote on the collective bargaining agreement with the Public Works department, effective Jan. 1, 2026, through the end of December 2028.

• There will be a motion to change health benefit coverage from Local 205 Teamsters Municipal Benefits Services (MBS). They will also vote on establishing the terms and conditions of employment for the borough secretary.

• The organization meeting of borough council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 5.

• Officials are waiting for the county to give notice to proceed with the demolition of the former borough building.

• Starting January 2026, all meetings will be held at 6 p.m. and borough office hours will be from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

• Council is expected to renew the agreement with Shiloh Service, Inc., to maintain the borough’s IT and computer services.

• Council will vote to donate $100 to the Glassport American Legion for its annual Polar Plunge on Jan. 1, 2026. All proceeds will benefit service dogs for veterans.