With Mayor Breaking Tie, Fire Tax Increase Will Be On Ballot In Tullytown

In the April 28 primary election, voters in Tullytown Borough will see a referendum asking whether they would authorize Council to increase the two mill fire tax above three mills.

At their Tuesday evening meeting, Tullytown Borough Council voted 3-3 to approve the referendum. Councilpersons Mary Ann Gahagan, Matt Pirolli, and Bryan Servis voted in favor. Council President Nina Chrzanowski and councilpersons Holly Kettler and Linda Slemmer vote against the referendum. Mayor Dave Cutchineal broke the tie by voting for the referendum. Council Vice President Joe Shellenberger was not at the meeting.

The Council is expected to consider increasing the fire tax that supports the 100-year-old volunteer Tullytown Fire Company that serves the borough and assists surrounding departments.

The Pennsylvania Borough Code requires moving a fire tax above three mills to be approved at referendum. If approved by voters, the Council would be able to consider increasing the fire tax above three mills for 2021 budget. However, voting for the referendum does not lock the Council into increasing the tax.

The current two mill fire tax brings in about $53,000 in revenue and increasing it to four mills would double the revenue.

Only a few years ago, the borough provided $111,000 in funding to the fire company but that was cut to $33,000 in the 2020 spending plan. The move comes as Tullytown looks to make cuts after losing major revenue from the 2017 closure of the landfill in the borough.

The fire company already hosts 20 fundraisers a year and the borough’s financial support was vital. The state also provides about $14,000 in funding, but the majority can only be used for certain purposes, Tullytown Fire Company President Chip Vandine said.

“We understand the position you’re in. We’re not upset about that,” he told Council.

Vandine stated that the fire company was continuing to increase fundraising activities. He also urged the public to vote for the referendum and support the fire company.

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