When my wife
and I decided to move, we were told to prepare for a few difficult months. Because
we were traveling less than a mile, at our own pace, in excellent fall weather,
we laughed off the warnings.
We were wrong. Leaving
a three story 1875 home in East Washington for a top floor condominium in South
Strabane Township was a challenge. It was physically exhausting and emotionally
stressful; beyond anything we imagined.
Our extensive
planning was never enough to anticipate all the unforeseen issues. The parting with
cherished items was painful and often time- consuming. The tedious packing,
loading our car, and unpacking made us cringe at another banker box. Waking up in the middle of the night with yet
another task for our checklist was a common occurrence. Moreover, the mental
adjustment to a new, smaller living space, and the inconvenience of owning two
homes still has us running in circles.
The move was
designed to simplify our lives. We are both in our mid-70s with ailments that
make step-climbing a painful adventure and outdoor maintenance an unpleasant
chore. Single level condominium living, where the property was professionally maintained,
seemed like the answer. However, all the work in getting there was as arduous
as running a marathon with little training.
We have now
learned that the two abutting Washington County communities of East Washington
and South Strabane, are nothing alike. Our community of 22 years, the Borough of East Washington, is only
0.45 square miles. It is surrounded on three sides by the City of
Washington and also borders South Strabane Township to the
north. Because of the
many older, ornate homes, the East Washington Historic District is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places.
Only 2000 people live in the borough. The community prides itself in its
residential setting. The zoning regulations discourage commercial enterprises.
South Strabane offers
a very different living environment. It encompasses 23 square miles with a
population of 10,000. Due to its location astride Interstates 70 and 79, it has
undergone rapid commercial and residential development. Modern retail centers
and the Tanger Outlet Mall are within its borders. A Costco store is planned for
the site of the former Washington
Mall in South Strabane. A proposal to place an AI data center within the
township on 1,500 acres owned by CNX Resources is being considered, despite objections
from concerned residents.
South Strabane contains several high-rise
buildings (including senior citizen facilities) and extensive commercial structures.
It was encouraging when a friend and former South Strabane Supervisor forwarded
a video of the new aerial fire truck practicing rescue techniques at the top
floor of the unit we were about to purchase. The video helped convince my wife
that she could rest easily, many stories above the ground.
After moving in, we were shocked by news reports
that the new South Strabane board of supervisors planned to reopen the budget
process and terminate the contract for the lifesaving aerial truck. We were
prepared to voice our objections when we learned that further discussions
apparently convinced the supervisors to retain this valuable piece of equipment.
However, the supervisors now plan to eliminate a
public safety specialist from the payroll. As reported in the Observer-Reporter at a
recent budget meeting, “the South Strabane Fire Department Chief sharply
criticized the decision.”
Tax rates and
budgets are determined by local township supervisors. South Strabane has a
larger tax base with many commercial contributors. Consequently, the tax rate (including
a “fire tax” add-on to help pay for the new aerial truck and other funding to
create and maintain a professional fire department) is much lower than East
Washington. The total millage in the township for 2026 is 1.85 mills and, in
the borough, 2.43 mills.
East Washington
has significantly higher municipal taxes, but must still rely on the City of
Washington for fire protection. South Strabane taxpayers pay lower municipal
taxes for benefits that now include a full-time professional fire and public
safety department to respond quickly to all emergencies.
It makes little
sense for the current supervisors, in a thriving and growing community, with an
expanding tax base, to reduce public safety funding that protects everyone.
Residents of South Strabane should be alarmed by this misguided plan to reduce
services.
We were not
familiar with how condominiums are administered before moving into our unit. The
condo owners elect a board of directors to make day-to-day management
decisions, collect homeowners’ association fees and to help new owners like us
get adjusted. These board members do an extraordinary job of keeping things
running smoothly. Forty-two owners have many questions and issues. Getting
information out to the owners on a timely basis is critical and time consuming.
The two
indispensable individuals are the building manager and the maintenance man. Both
know the inner workings of the structure and are familiar with many of the
individual units. Checking with them and following their advice before making important
decisions saved us time and money.
As I write this commentary, we are safely tucked away as a
major snowstorm swirls around us. Two days before the storm, I looked out my
office window to observe a bald eagle gilding by. While we miss our neighbors,
we are beginning to become accustomed to the change in scenery. There is no
confusing it with our former East Washington back yard.
