Sandy Township Supers to Send Reps. to Meet with Members of TLPOA

DUBOIS – On Monday night the Sandy Township Supervisors agreed to accept an invitation to meet with members of the Treasure Lake Property Owner’s Association.

The TLPOA has been looking at the possibility to break from Sandy Township and form its own borough due to taxing and infrastructure issues. Currently there are no laws that allow tax/revenue sharing between municipalities and private-residential developments.

According to Sandy Township Chairman Supervisor Brady LaBorde said that the township received a letter indicating that members of the TLPOA wanted to meet with the supervisors.

“We will be responding to this,” said LaBorde.

The supervisors agreed to send two of their number as well as Dick Castonguay, township manager, to meet with a like number of TLPOA representatives.

Supervisor Dave Sylvis commented that he did not see that that there was any negotiation to be had between the two boards. He noted that the municipality is legally tied and that it would take a change in legislation before any changes could be made. Sylvis said that he believes that this is a response from a recent letter from state Rep. Dan Surra, D-75 Kersey and state Sen. Joe Scarnattie, R-25 Brockway.

In that letter both legislators urge the municipalities to meet to discuss their issues between them. In an earlier letter Surra notes, “The dilemma is that Treasure Lake residents, who have their own water, sewer and security in addition to their own roads, pay a full share of the taxes and feel they receive little in return,” wrote Surra. “However, there are many rural residents of Sandy Township that live along state highways who also have their own water and sewer. Should these folks get a tax break too?”

Supervisor Jim Jeffers said that he felt it was a good idea for the supervisors and TLPOA members to meet. He noted that because he lives in and is employed in Treasure Lake that he would not vote on the issue or attend any of those meetings between the TLPOA and the township supervisors.

“I also think it’s a good idea,” said Mark Sullivan, supervisor.