CLARION - Some Clarion Borough residents may be eligible to save a little on their stormwater fee that they might not have previously known about.
At the May 11 Clarion Borough Stormwater Authority (CBSA) meeting, borough Treasurer and Projects Manager Todd Colosimo presented for approval a downspout disconnection credit application from resident Gary Purinton, stating that after the application was received, Colosimo and CBSA/Administrative Assistant Rebecca Ferringer went to the residence and determined that all seven of the noted downspouts were disconnected, making Purinton eligible for the 10-percent credit the Authority offers. The board approved the motion.
The downspout disconnection credit is one of five credits available from the CBSA, offering borough residents up to 10-percent for having residential downspouts that empty onto grass or gardens where water can soak in.
CBSA Secretary Tom DiStefano further discussed his desire to inform borough residents about the available credit opportunity and presented a revised application to the board.
"I call it the ‘downspout disconnection discount,' as opposed to credit. I think credit can mean too many things. But I think we should promote this program a little better. If we can make people aware of it, they will apply to it." DiStefano said, adding,
"It's good (public relations). The positive side to it is that ratepayers pay a little less. And the biggest drawback to (the program) I think would be that it's too successful and result in a loss of revenue for the (Stormwater) Authority."
CBSA Chair Ben Aaron agreed, adding, "Another positive is that it lessens the strain on the (stormwater) resources."
Purinton, who was present at the meeting, went on to thank the CBSA and said, "The reason I knew about the credit was because I read (the minutes from the last meeting) and saw there had been a change to the (downspout credit). I've never heard of it before, so I called over to the (Clarion borough) office and they emailed me the information and I realized I qualify for this."
Aaron proposed notifying residents about the credit via a notice included in their quarterly statement, to which Chief Administrative Officer Linda Lavan-Preston concurred. Invoices for the third quarter will be sent out in July.
The other credits offered include a low-impact parcel credit of up to 25-percent for properties with a small amount of impervious area compared to the total acreage of the parcel, an education credit of up to 10-percent, for schools and churches that teach youth about the importance of stormwater management, a control structure credit of up to 25-percent for retaining or slowing stormwater runoff, and a partnership credit, awarded to those for finding innovative stormwater solutions.
Residents who are interested in the downspout disconnection credit can access the CBSA Credit Policy Manual 10-20 under the CBSA page on the Clarion Borough website.
Though the revised application approved at the May 11 meeting is not yet in use, the manual online contains the instructions and original form to apply for the credit.
