CENTER TWP — A flood of stormwater complaints by residents this summer may lead to possible tax increases in the township.

Ed Latuska, chairman of the township supervisors, said at the supervisors’ meeting Wednesday night that the township has received an average of 3 to 5 calls per day this summer about stormwater damage.

Many of the complaints, Latuska said, are from residents demanding immediate correction of issues that the township cannot keep up with.

“In order to address the public outcry for faster response time and the immediate action, this board will give strong consideration next year to a tax increase,” Latuska said in a prepared statement at the beginning of the meeting.

“The increased revenue will allow Center Township to hire an increased road crew and purchase the equipment and resources necessary to satisfy our residents’ demands.”

Latuska said township crews have been attempting to keep up with the heavy rains over the past several weeks.

“Whenever we receive a complaint, myself, another board member, or someone from the road crew make every effort to visit the site in a timely manner, assess the damage, and develop an effective plan of action and prioritization,” Latuska said.

The response isn’t always welcomed, the chairman added.

“In many cases, however, the Center Township representative is greeted with verbal assault, threats of litigation or threats to contact the local news media,” Latuska said. “These types of responses are uncalled for and will not be tolerated.”

Latuska said many of the complaints concerning stormwater damage stem from self-inflicted problems by homeowners, including clogged catch basins from residents not removing leaves from their yards, or issues with piping from residents who tap into the township’s stormwater pipes without permission.

“The township will not go onto private property to correct problems caused by the homeowner,” Latuska said.

He said there is also a lack of patience with residents.

“While I realize that we live in an instant gratification society, with fast food, fast Internet, fast this, fast that, it does not apply in this case,” Latuska said. “Center Township does not have the resources, manpower, or equipment to satisfy our residents’ demands.”

Latuska said the township’s six-man road crew is working short-handed due to the recent death of one of its employees.

“I feel our road crew has been doing a great job,” he said.

The supervisors did not further discuss the possibility of any potential tax hikes following Latuska’s comments.

The supervisors did acknowledge the unusually large amount of rain that has fallen in recent weeks.

Supervisor Ken Frenchak said the parking lots of Giant Eagle and the Clearview Mall had flooding following a storm Tuesday night.

“The water was up to the rims on cars,” he said.

Township solicitor Michael Gallagher added issues with stormwater have been common in many municipalities this year.

After the meeting Latuska said that stormwater runoff is always a concern for residents, but said he doesn’t remember having as many complaints.

“I’ve been a supervisor for 16 years, but I don’t ever remember it being this bad,” he said. “It’s frustrating.”

Two residents at the meeting expressed concerns about stormwater damage.

A resident on Elise Drive asked for assistance with heavy stormwater runoff onto his property caused by the township’s stormwater system. The supervisors said crews would be out today to address the problem.

Another resident on Holyoke Road asked for assistance because a neighbor, who tapped into the township’s piping without approval, is causing stormwater to flood her yard. The board said it sent a letter to the neighbor telling him to correct the issue, but said it cannot send crews onto his property.

The township is repairing a section of Sunset Drive and its stormwater piping near the intersection with Mercer Road due to flooding on the road.

The tax rate in the township is 7.05 mills. The township spends $644,000 of its $1.8 million budget on public works, and $85,000 on highway maintenance and repair.