Springdale Township to publicize tax delinquents’ names on website

Anyone who owes Springdale Township taxes might face having their names made public.

The township supervisors voted 3-2 Thursday to post tax delinquents’ names on the township’s website. Commissioners President Anthony Rozzano and supervisors Shirley Redman and Jacqueline Karan voted to publish the names. Supervisors Mariana Burns and Tim Sweet voted against doing so.

Rozzano said $149,000 in delinquent taxes is owed to the township. He said lots of residents are taking advantage of the system.

“That is not fair to other residents who are paying their bills,” he said.

Karan echoed Rozzano’s thoughts.

“If this has been going on for years, that is ridiculous,” she said.

Burns questioned if the action is legal, citing concerns about invading residents’ privacy.

But it would not be the first taxing body to take that step. As one example, Westmoreland County has for years been publishing the names of residents owing back taxes.

And solicitor Craig Alexander mentioned Tarentum Borough publicizing names on its website.

Burns said some residents might be struggling to pay their taxes and not trying to take advantage of the system.

“Why add to their hardship?” she asked.

Rozzano said a program is in the works for office personnel to keep in contact with the tax collector on who has paid their taxes.

There is not a set date for when names will be publicized.

“If someone can’t afford to pay, we are willing to work with them,” he said.