Who owns the North Irwin Town Hall -- the borough or its municipal sewer authority?

"Does it really matter?" Mayor Len Santimyer asked in response. "The bottom line: Town Hall belongs to the residents of North Irwin."

The town hall, a one-story building, is used by the borough and sewer authority to conduct business and have public meetings. Office space is shared by the borough, tax collector, sewer authority and Police Chief Pete Henderson. In addition, the borough recreation commission and the North Irwin Women's Club meet there monthly.

The facility stands on the former North Irwin Elementary School site. The Norwin School District deeded the property to the borough on May 23, 1994, for municipal use.

The authority, actually a separate entity, built the town hall, which was dedicated in 1995.

Apparently, no formal document defining ownership of the building or lease agreement exists. The Westmoreland County tax map shows the site as vacant property that has never been assessed.

"I don't recall an agreement," Mr. Santimyer said. "It was probably done with a handshake, a gentlemen's agreement. People trusted what they were doing was in the best interest of the borough.

"I guess nobody thought about putting something in writing and having it recorded."

The ownership issue surfaced when a new faction of council -- Kim Macalus, Mel Ostrom, Bernie Reynolds and Edwin "Bo" Anthony -- began exploring ways to reduce budgeted expenditures.

Currently, the borough pays for utilities and insurance and is responsible for maintenance of the building.

"I feel the sewer authority should pay part of the cost of utilities and insurance," said Mr. Anthony, the council president. "The borough is scratching for funds just to provide at least minimum public services. For us, every dollar counts."

The borough this year raised real estate taxes for the first time in 18 years. The 3-mill hike will generate about $12,000 in revenue.

Mr. Anthony believes ownership of the building should be defined to determine insurance liability and to prevent a potential violation of the Privacy Act.

"We're a small town," he said. "When you have two secretaries, a tax collector and police using the same office space, confidential information of taxpayers could be compromised unintentionally."

Mrs. Macula, board vice president, plans to introduce a motion Monday night to organize a committee to negotiate a lease agreement.

"I hope things can be resolved amicably if both entities sit down and work things out," Mr. Santimyer said. "Yes, the borough and sewer authority share use of the town hall, but both do realize money from the same taxpayers in taxes, rates and tap-in fees."