Portnoff bails on deal to collect Shenandoah tax, utility delinquencies
SHENANDOAH – The collection firm Shenandoah hired in April to go after delinquent trash, sewer, and tax bills is out.
Borough Council President Joe Boris announced Monday night that Portnoff Law Associates reneged on their deal, which was supposed to run until 2027.
According to a letter read by Boris at the meeting, Portnoff cites a conflict of interest as they represent the Shenandoah Valley School District.
At the September council meeting, Boris said the borough received a letter stating they owed $47,350.56 to the school district for properties acquired to eliminate blight but weren’t rendered tax exempt.
Shenandoah Valley Solicitor Robert Matta told the borough at that time that they were not willing to grant relief to the borough and demanded payment of $32,291.17 with interest of $6,023.32. At the September meeting, council approved paying the delinquent taxes, which were due Sept. 30.
At the Oct. 8 Union Township Supervisors meeting, where Matta serves as solicitor, he told the Sentinel the matter had not yet been resolved.
In the meantime, council began selling off properties, of which bids for 18 were accepted at a special meeting on Oct. 9.
As of Monday night, Boris said the borough had requested a 30 day extension to pay the back taxes, which were the primary issue for Portnoff.
“We will pay the school their money,” Boris said.
Portnoff said in the letter to the borough that they were not aware the borough owed back taxes to the school district when they agreed to represent them.
In the interim, borough council voted to rescind a resolution naming Portnoff as the borough’s tax collector and approve a resolution appointing the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau.
Borough Manager Tony Sajone said that the county collects the borough’s delinquencies at a higher rate than Portnoff.
Boris said that Portnoff would not represent the borough for any delinquencies, including trash and sewer, because of the taxes owed to the school district.
At the time Portnoff was retained, the borough had over 500 unpaid bills.
As of July, Boris said the total for trash delinquencies is $385,931, and the total for sewer delinquencies is $289,308, both of which he said “may be inflated.”
In other business, Boris said 34 borough-owned properties remain available for sale.
Bids should be submitted to borough hall in a sealed envelope with a check or money order for 10% of the bid amount. Include your name, address, and a valid phone number.
Deadline for bids is at 3pm Monday, Oct. 7.
Due diligence is recommended and prospective buyers “must be in good standing as determined by the borough.”
The properties listed for sale are below with their parcel number:
- 412 East Arlington Street; 64-6-43
- 414 East Arlington Street; 64-6-43-2
- Centre and West Street, the former Jefferson School lot; 64-8-3;
- 425 West Centre Street; 64-7-473;
- 432 West Centre Street; 64-7-115;
- 20 East Cherry Street; 64-8-327;
- 219 East Cherry Street; 64-9-21;
- 422 West Cherry Street; 64-7-424;
- 319 West Cherry Street; 64-7-364;
- 231 West Coal Street; 64-4-290;
- Property on West Chester Street; 64-07-0572.002;
- 30 West Coal Street; 64-5-298;
- 32 West Coal Street; 64-5-299;
- 40 West Coal Street; 64-5-302;
- 516 West Coal Street; 64-4-437;
- Property in the 500 block of West Columbus Street; 64-7-440;
- 220 West Columbus Street; 64-8-221;
- 222 West Columbus Street; 64-8-22;
- 309 South Jardin Street; 64-8-414;
- 311 South Jardin Street; 64-8-415;
- Property on Mount Vernon Street; 64-7-34;
- 434 West Mount Vernon Street; 64-7-34-4;
- 436 West Mount Vernon Street; 64-7-34-2;
- 438 West Mount Vernon Street; 64-7-24-3;
- 419 New York Street; 64-7-13;
- 233 West Oak Street; 64-7-223;
- 235 West Oak Street; 64-7-222;
- 401 West Oak Street; 64-07-185-3;
- 300 Penn Street; 64-4-280;
- 17 North Union Street; 64-6-168;
- 213 North White Street; 64-5-77;
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