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Residents press council on towing fees and a missing homestead exemption
Summary
Two residents used the public-comment periods to raise problems: a parking/towing fee dispute involving Miguel’s Towing and a local resident’s missing homestead exemption that the borough advised is a county matter.
During public comment at the March 11 meeting two residents raised consumer and tax-administration concerns the borough said staff will follow up on.
Kaylee Gaborick of Belmont Boulevard described a February accident after sliding on uncleared road ice and said police arranged a tow; she told council she was charged about $800 by Miguel’s Towing (a $475 tow plus $325 in administrative fees after storage was waived) and that her insurance would cover only the $475 towing charge. Gaborick cited national towing benchmarks and asked whether the borough’s police-to-tow arrangements or a contract could be reviewed to prevent what she described as “exorbitant fees.”
“I was shocked to find out that the charge was a thousand dollars… Miguel's gonna charge them $300 for getting the items out of the vehicle,” Gaborick said, adding that she had posted reviews and provided her receipt to borough staff.
Manager Graziani responded that the borough does not currently have a contract for towing and that staff would look into the incident and the paperwork Gaborick provided.
Separately, Mike Berryman of Haymaker Road asked why his homestead exemption was missing from his tax bill. Council members and the manager said assessment and homestead-exemption eligibility are handled by the county assessor’s office and county processes; they offered to arrange a meeting with the tax collector (Pat Fulkerson) and Manager Graziani to help the resident find the source of the change.
Council characterized both items as issues staff can research and asked residents to supply receipts or documentation for follow-up. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff said they would pursue further information.
