“You’re probably not the right person to talk to, but…”

So, so many calls to me start out that way. On one hand, I think people are just trying to pre-apologize in CASE I’m not the right person. But on the other hand, I sometimes feel like they don’t really want to talk to me, but they just have this one thing to ask and they didn’t know where else to go.

Lately, I’ve noticed a huge uptick in callers who say “I just moved here.” At that point, I rarely let them get in the rest of the sentence, because I usually yell out a “Thank you so much! WELCOME!!!” And then, 99 percent of the time, I actually can answer their question:

Can you sign me up for a garbage collection account?
You don’t need one. You’re on the list because you live here and your taxes pay for it.

Where do I send my earned income taxes? My real estate taxes?

Your employer will collect your EIT and local services tax and send it to us. If your real estate taxes aren’t paid from escrow, you’ll get a bill from the municipality and school district in June. You can pay them in person in the municipal building, at the dropbox outside the municipal building, you can mail them in or pay online. (The county sends its property tax bills in February.)

Do you supply garbage and recycling containers or do we have to go out and buy them?
Neither. You can use whatever you have. The containers you want to use for recycling just need to have a green Mt. Lebanon Recycling sticker, available at the municipal building or library.

Do I need to order a subscription to the magazine?
Nope. Again, you’ll get one automatically at your home. See, we’re magic like that!

I admit, I’m not at my desk a lot. So if you need an immediate answer, many are online at: www.mtlebanon.org/166/New-Residents. 

The new residents who call me are usually very busy and don’t have much time to talk, which is both understandable and a shame, because I’d love to get to know them, to find out what it was about Mt. Lebanon that attracted them, to hear their story. Our residents have wonderful stories and it’s our pleasure to share them with you.

Writer Abigail Schade Gary talked to several residents who moved here without knowing anyone. It’s a fascinating story about what makes a home. You can read it here.

Did you just move here? Welcome! What’s your story?  I’d love to know! 

Laura Pace Lilley, Editor in Chief
lpace@mtlebanon.org / 412-343-3552