From the desk of Tom Kelley, Director of Public Services:

Through a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) Yost Drilling of Mt. Morris PA is preparing to cap four abandoned natural gas sites along Scrubgrass Rd in Scott Township. The wells have been leaking natural gas for the past 20 plus years and the Township has been working with DEP to track down the owners and secure the easements required to access the well sites.
There are an estimated 2 million abandoned oil and gas wells across the country, forgotten or ignored by the energy companies that drilled them. Funding for the well capping program became available in 2023 and DEP was able to dedicate additional legal resources to the program. In September of 2023, a contract was awarded to Yost Drilling to cap several abandoned well in Allegheny County including the four along Scrubgrass Run.
This week, DEP notified the Township that Yost Drilling would be clearing land around one of the well sites along Scrubgrass to prepare a site for a large drilling rig. DEP indicated that before the well is capped that the contractor would be venting or flaring natural gas to reduce pressure at the well to allow capping. Venting took place on 1/31/2024 and was terminated at the urging of the Township. They plan to flare the natural gas during the week of February 4th. After the well pressure is reduced the drill rig will proceed with the capping process.

Work is to continue tomorrow, February 6th, 2024.

Some residents have asked for audit information on the Township. The Township is audited every year by an outside auditor. The most recent completed audit is from 2022, and the audit is attached in the below PDF file. Since we have bonds, the annual independent audits that are done for the Township are published on the EMMA (Electronic Municipal Market Access) website.

2022 Audit

• General Website Link:
https://emma.msrb.org/

• Search Results Link (you will have to go to the “Financial Disclosures” tab to view the audited financial statements):
https://emma.msrb.org/IssuerHomePage/Issuer?id=BB362154FB1910EFFCFFB0045C353748&type=G

Many residents have asked how to calculate the tax millage into dollars in regards to their own assessed property value. Township Manager Fitzgerald has produced a simple spreadsheet formula for residents to use to see the increase the millage represents. Here you can see some common home value points and the calculated annual tax increase for those values using your county assessment.

For a more exact amount based upon your specific home’s value, you can also download this formula for Excel : Formula for Millage

On January 2nd, 2024, the Scott Township Board of Commissioners held it’s biennial re-organization meeting in the main meeting room. District Judge Craig Stephens was on hand to re-affirm the oaths of Commissioners Altman, Castello, Gazda, Meyers and Seibel, all having been re-elected this past year. The Board re-confirmed Commissioner Altman as Board President, and re-affirmed Commissioner Seibel as Board Vice-President. Family members of the elected officials were present to see their loved ones sworn in, and the Commissioners thanked those that have supported them in what has been a challenging year. Thank you to everyone that came out to support the Board and staff!

The Scott Conservancy wants your trees! When you take down your Christmas tree this year, don’t just toss it in the street. Drop it off at the Conservancy’s trailhead on Scrubgrass Road, and we’ll have it ground into wood chips to spread on our trails. You’ll be making Kane Woods a more pleasant place to walk all year. You can leave your tree behind the parking lot fence any time. If you want help unloading, we plan to have people there on Saturday Jan. 6 and Saturday Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Immediately below this paragraph is a link to the Township’s garbage analysis of millage vs. trash fee presentation used to discuss the matter in the public meeting earlier this month.

Millage vs. Fee Analysis

We’re putting this letter here for all residents to have a better understanding of what is happening with trash collection this year. Please read this before contacting the offices. We are receiving a lot of calls and complaints and this letter should answer a lot of your questions on the matter.

Waste Management Changes

Scott Township is looking to fill vacancies on our Environmental Advisory Council. The Council assists the Board of Commissioners in matters involving land development, open spaces, and recreation areas. Any interested parties please contact the Township at 412-276-5300. Thank you!

Recently, Ishaan Chahande, a member of Boy Scout Troop 228, designed and constructed four flag retirement boxes for the benefit of Scott Township. This was Ishaan’s Eagle Scout Project, and his donation of time, effort and materials to the Township to help give our residents a proper method to retire of our worn American flags. This option should help prevents their improper disposal by residents unsure of the proper method. These great receptacles have been placed outside the library in the municipal building, and at each of our three volunteer fire departments. Thank you Ishaan for your dedication to the community and our national flag, a symbol of honor and freedom around the globe.

Please see the attached notice regarding aerial drops for the rabies baiting project in our area.

2023 Western PA ORV Program NOTICE

Don’t forget next week ushers in the spring leaf and branch schedule for Township pickups. To review the schedule for your neighborhood pickup dates and times, please see the full schedule here:

Township Leaf & Branch Schedule