Bradenville VFD receives more than $100,000 in tax monies

Latrobe Bulletin, The (PA)

The Derry Township Board of Supervisors approved two measures Tuesday that will see the Bradenville Volunteer Fire Department receiving more than $100,000 in tax money.

The Bradenville VFD will receive $77,836.52 from the Foreign Fire Insurance Premium Tax money. That money comes from the state and is calculated by a set formula.

This year's Foreign Fire Insurance Premium Tax money was only marginally up from last year, with the department receiving just $79.14 more this year.

The fire department will also receive $38,858.50 from the Local Services Tax (LST). Township solicitor Sam Dalfonso explained the township allocates 25% of the LST to public safety. But with no township police force or ambulance service within the township's boundaries, the 25% goes to Bradenville VFD.

Those funds are on top of a 1% tax the township enacted last year to help the volunteer firefighters purchase equipment and cover expenses. The tax was estimated to generate at least $120,000. The fund currently has around $20,000 in it.

The township supervisors also unanimously approved a resolution requesting a grant from the Commonwealth Financing Agency on behalf of the Bradenville VFD. If approved, the grant would be used to purchase a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) decontamination washer.

The township supervisors will also apply for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $244,544. The grant will be used to replace waterlines along M & B Place.

Residents along the road have had to endure a number of waterline breaks over the past year due to aging infrastructure.

The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Derry began looking at possible funding opportunities last year and found the area would be eligible for the grant.

In other business, the township supervisors approved the following:

A contract with Hoffman Boarding Kennels for dog control beginning Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025;Updates to the personnel policy for CDL employee random drug and alcohol testing to be in line with federal guidelines, andThe Allegheny Ludlum Latrobe Facility assessment appeal settlement.

The Derry Township Board of Supervisors moved its November meeting to Wednesday, Nov. 8, due to the general election. The board will hold its next meeting 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 5321 state Route 982, Derry Township.