DUBOIS – On Monday night the Sandy Township Supervisors took a stance against Treasure Lake’s efforts to become a borough.
The supervisors voted to aggressively oppose any action taken by Treasure Lake to become a borough. Supervisor Jim Jeffers abstained.
Township manager Dick Castonguay gave the supervisors touched on some of the issues that Treasure Lake and the township may be facing.
He said that in 2006 Treasure Lake made up 47.5 percent of the township’s earned income tax. Last year the private community made up a little over 50 percent of the township’s total assessed value.
Castonguay said that townships can only charge up to a maximum of 13 mils, boroughs 30 mils. However, if Treasure Lake becomes a Home Rule municipality, they have no cap on the percentage on the EIT that could be levied. The township has a cap of 1 percent.
Castonguay added that the township would lose about $1 million if Treasure Lake splits from Sandy Township.
“We should oppose this as aggressively as we can,” said Brady LaBorde, supervisor chairman. “We cannot raise taxes high enough to make up for the $1 million.
“Nor do we want to.”
He touched upon the services that the township provides Treasure Lake, including police protection, a zoning ordinance, a subdivision and land development ordinance and the razing of dilapidated buildings.
Castonguay said that the maintenance of amenities may be driving this move by Treasure Lake. He said that Treasure Lake has no capitol reserve to keep up with roads and equipment.
“This has been a failure of gated communities worldwide,” said Castonguay.
He said that for the roads to be considered for liquid fuels funds, Treasure Lake’s roads would have to be public and meet PennDOT’s specifications.
Castonguay also said that under current state law, the township cannot cost share with Treasure Lake.
“Public money cannot be spent on private property,” said Castonguay.
Councilman Dave Sylvis said he could see no way that Treasure Lake could become a borough without raising taxes.