Supv. Proud of Zero Tax Increase
By Wayne Witkowski
Pike County Dispatch - Thursday, November 28, 2019

DINGMANS FERRY -- "There will be no tax increase this year," proudly announced Delaware Township Supervisor Jane Neufeld to the gathering during the bi-monthly Board of Supervisors meeting held last week.
Neufeld voiced that result of the 2020 budget that she crafted extensively with township Administrator Krista Predmore as the supervisors approved a motion to advertise the budget that became available for the 20-day public inspection last Wednesday. 
There will be a hearing and ratification vote 7 p.m. on Dec. 11.
There has been no tax increase since 2008; however, taxes were decreased in 2012, 2013 and 2016.
The tax rate has held at 11.68 mills, including 8.68 mills for the General Fund, 1.5 mills for the Recreation Fund and 1.5 mills for the Fire Fund.
The General Fund of $1,307,050.07 includes $1,041,0000 in tax revenue and the balance from other revenue sources. Total expenses are $1,282,035.67.
The Fire Fund is $146,500 with a balanced expense line. The Recreation Fund is $146,500, with $137,091 in total expenses.
The total state Liquid Fuels Fund is at $626,251.91, with projected expenses at $23,538.84 
Supervisors approved final payments to Wayco Inc. of $32,259.12 for completion of work on Doolan Road and $20,945.14 for completion of work on Park Road.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson announced that he has learned from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that the extensive Wilson Hill Road project is in the design phase and "on track" for 2020. It includes bolstering crumbling roadside shoulders and drainage.
Also at the meeting, supervisors approved advertising for their annual reorganization meeting to be held 7 p.m. on Jan. 6. They also approved for advertising for reorganization meetings for the township Planning Commission 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and for the township Auditors on that day at a time to be determined.
Supervisors approved for the township Recreation Board the purchase of elf tunics with hats, holiday aprons and 12 pairs of shoes not to exceed $350 for the annual township Christmas event at Akenac Park from 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 14. The Dingmans Ferry Children's Choir will sing while revelers enjoy hot cocoa and a cookie and enjoy a roaring bonfire.
The Rec Board, in a memo sent to the supervisors, expressed concern about obtaining signed photo release forms from families of every child photographed in efforts to promote publicity for its events and suggested that instead it post a disclaimer at any event where children might be photographed.
"Be careful with that," cautioned township Solicitor Thomas Farley. "Let's see if we try it out and see if we get any parents' complaints."
The board also approved the purchase of 10 reflective vests, flashlights and traffic wants from Amazon for $325.26 for Recreation Board volunteers to use on an as-needed basis to assist the local fire police. The Rec Board also was granted permission to move its monthly meeting on Dec. 12 from the municipal building to Akenac Park.
Supervisors also announced a free Thanksgiving Day dinner to be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Route 739 in Dingman Township from 2-4 p.m. that day.