(12/25) Carroll Valley Borough Council is moving towards selling borough-owned lots.
The borough owns many parcels that were part of the ill-fated mid-20th century Charnita development that led to the creation of the borough in the 1970s. Residents have often shown interest in owning some of the properties, most recently at November’s council meeting.
The council authorized Manager Dave Hazlett to acquire an appraisal for 82 Toms Creek Trail. The appraisal is the first step towards placing the land for sale through public auction, Hazlett said. Neighbors have expressed interest in purchasing the property but state law dictates the borough must accept bids for the land.
The borough also authorized an interested resident to acquire an appraisal on 33 Mason Dixon Trail.
"With the market going up, I think so many people in Carroll Valley who own a property are buying the properties around them," Councilwoman Kari Butterbaugh said. "The borough owns a ton of properties and I think it behooves all of us to let the people of Carroll Valley buy the ones next to them."
Councilmember Michael Wight noted selling lots would be duly-beneficial for Carroll Valley. The borough would no longer be required to maintain them and the new owners would be required to pay borough taxes on the lands.
Traffic light
The borough must decide how much it wants a traffic light at the intersection of Routes 116 and 16.
Hazlett said PennDOT denied a light several times because there have not been any fatal wrecks at the site. Many residents believe the intersection is dangerous and a signal would prevent crashes of any severity.
The crux of the issue may be which entity pays for the light.
"I really, genuinely believe that if PennDOT heard we were looking at alternative funding sources versus PennDOT needing to pay for the signal, I think it would be surprisingly approved and given the warrant necessary," Hazlett said.
Hazlett warned that if PennDOT deems a light is warranted, the borough could be required to pay for it if attempts to find grant funding fail. He estimates the project would cost $250,000 but "90 percent" of citizens would support it.
"It’s kind of a miserable intersection," Hazlett said.
Budget
Hazlett said the proposed 2023 budget does not contain a tax increase, which has been the norm since 2012. In his budget document, which is available at www.carrollvalley.org, Hazlett wrote Carroll Valley’s tax rate is the second lowest of Adams County’s 13 boroughs. The borough’s police department, highway department, and executive staff are the borough’s largest expenses.
