Twp. Approves No Tax Increase For 11^th Straight Year

By Wayne Witkowski

DINGMANS FERRY -- Delaware Township will have no tax increase for another year after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the 2019 budget at last week's meeting. "There hasn't been an increase in my seven years here (as township administrator). In fact, there have been several decreases," said Township Administrator Krista Predmore with a smile reagrding her undertaking  with township Supervisor and Treasurer Jane Neufeld. There has not been a tax increase since 2008; however, taxes will not be decreased as they were in three recent years 2012, 2013 and 2016.

The tax rate holds 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 has a listed $1,280,152.25 total income and $1,275,484.09 expenses. Any surplus will go into the township's capital reserve. Tax revenue for the Recreation Fund and Fire Tax Fund is $145,500 for each. Township contribution for the volunteer fire company is $16,085, although no funding was approved for a stipend payment to volunteer firefighters as a few other townships in Pike County are starting. Contribution for the township volunteer ambulance is $53,394.

Three budget workshops were held in the fall. "We are very happy to have the taxes unchanged," Neufeld said. 'There was a lot of opportunityto see how their (tax) money is being spent. Looking at the coming year, we believe we have provided not only for the upcoming operations but also have been able to identify more possible infrastructure work as well as unforeseen needs."

Supervisors also gave final approval for the Delaware Plaza project for Route 739, provided that six conditions are met. The approval came after project engineer Joe Hudak of Riley Associates presented updated blueprints for the hub that will be anchored by Weis Markets. Hudak was joined by John Stieh, representing developer Charles Miller; and an attorney for Weis Markets.

Delaware Township engineer Jon Tresslar was among the 25 people gathered for the meeting.

The conditions include a hefty performance bond accepted by Tresslar. The conditions also state a certificate of occupancy will not be granted for the gas pumps at a station until the state permit is provided. It also stipulates that the developer shall try to accommodate the fire department's concerns raised during the Planning Commission meeting. Those concerns were revised after the preliminary approval and after Chris Kimble was appointed township fire chief. They include, for example, outdoor lighting for behind the buildings so emergency responders could see well at night if summoned.

"We're waiting for the executed development agreement and for the performance bond, which we expect soon," Predmore said. "The plan is to start sometime in 2019 and that the project will take nine to 12 months."

The supervisors, after a brief public hearing, unanimously passed amendments to Ordinance 110 zoning and Ordinance 901 definitions by adding Non-Tower Wireless Communications Facilities to the ordinance. The conditional use regulates things such as trailers carrying wireless communications that would be stationed in the right of way. Supervisor Rick Koehler made the motion.

The change comes amid reports that the state is looking ti allow wireless companies greater access to other servicing opportunities apart from the townshiups' scrutiny. " We have taken steps to make sure that dosen't happen without thorough township regulation,"Neufeld said. Supervisors also agreed to a $39,382.25 payment to Mar-Allen Concrete Products Inc. for the Akenac Park Recreation Building's pier repair foundation project. Mar-Allen has been a lead contractor in the Pike County Courthouse Addition project.The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $7,396 to the Pike County Drug Task Force for one year only. It would go toward hiring a county detective on drug enforcement against illegal traffickers. If most townships do not contribute, Delaware Township will get its contribution back. The board accepted the resignation of Robyn Eldred from the township Planning Commission but appointed her to the township's Recreation Committee. The Recreation Committee will move its meetings into the township building for the second Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. starting Jan.10.

Township bulk disposal days for residents discarding certain large items that cannot be picked up in normal garbage disposal to take place on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. That will run from April through October.

During the workshop prior to the regular meeting, supervisors said there was no update on any response from Blue Ridge Communications regarding revisions proposed by the township for the cable franchise agreement that is up for renewal.

Supervisors said they have not yet gotten a response from the National Park Service to their request for the township to be notified when NPS will close the gates to and along Route 209 during inclement weather or an emergency so township officials can notify residents.

January 16, 2015

The News Eagle

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NOTICE

 The Delaware Township Board of Auditors will hold regularly scheduled meetings on the third (3^rd) Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. beginning February 21, 2015. These meetings will be held at the Delaware Township Municipal Building(s), located at 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328.

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  Thank you.

  Krista Predmore
Township Administrator/Assistant Treasurer

Thomas Farley, Esq.

Township Solicitor