ROARING SPRING — Rumors of borough council raising taxes brought dozens of residents into the Roaring Spring municipal building for Monday night’s board meeting.

When reached by phone Tuesday, Borough Manager Lisa Peel said a noncouncil member misspoke about tax increases on Facebook, which in turn raised some eyebrows from residents.

She said council has not discussed a tax increase this year, as they routinely prepare their budgets in August and September.

Considering upcoming borough projects, she said the council won’t know about a future tax increase until the end of summer.

Roaring Spring Borough is slated to keep all revenue from real estate transfer taxes for the 2026-27 school year after Spring Cove School District board members rejected collecting their share Monday night.

“We’ve been relying on it,” Peel said. “It’ll stay in our budget, which is very positive for our borough residents.”

Before hearing from Spring Cove late Monday night, borough officials discussed possible outcomes if the school district took their allocated 0.5% share of taxes.

Board President James Musselman said “it’s not good for us.”

He said half of the reality transfer tax will only contribute half a percentage to Spring Cove’s total budget. However, the entire transfer tax contributes anywhere from 3% to 5% of total budgets for local municipalities.

Considering Spring Cove’s $2 million deficit, Musselman said the district will most likely adopt a tax increase.

“And if they take taxes away from the municipalities, everybody’s got to sharpen their pencils,” he said.

Attorney Larry D. Lashinsky said that this was the third time Spring Cove has weighed taking their share of realty transfer taxes.

“It’s a larger chunk of our budget so it hurts more if you take that,” he said. “People are going to be paying one way or another, so you need to take the hit. This is your money, your budget.”

Peddlers permit ordinance

Borough council on Monday also agreed to table an update to the peddlers permit ordinance/resolution after Breezeline solicitors disturbed residences after hours, drawing concerns that those knocking on doors were part of a scam.

Permitted solicitors aren’t allowed to peddle on Sundays, holidays or times before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. They are required to carry their permit while soliciting.

The borough currently charges peddlers $50 a day or $500 a year, equaling to $1.92 per day for those committed. Solicitors must pay a fine over $300 or be escorted out of the area if they don’t have a permit.

Peel said she will look into the resolution and consider increasing the fee and tightening some regulations.

She added that Breezeline has never come into the municipal building to pay for their coverage permit, stating that they were peddling in the borough illegally.

After the borough posted a public notice about soliciting hours on their Facebook page, she said they received many complaints from residents.

“It’s something we need to think about because I don’t think people appreciate this at all,” she said of the peddling.

Board member Kevin Snowberger asked if other members knew about peddling fees charged by nearby municipalities, to which Peel said she’s open to researching those numbers.

Musselman said an increased fee would generate more revenue from outside the borough, “so we’re not pillaging our taxpayers.”

Peel said board members can consider raising fees at the next meeting scheduled at 6 p.m. May 11.

Community clean-up

The borough is also hosting its community clean-up day from 8 a.m. to noon on April 25, where Taylor Township and Roaring Spring Borough residents are encouraged to bring their unwanted items to the municipal building for $10. More information about what is accepted can be found on the borough’s website.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.