Mahoning supervisors raise fire hydrant tax

During their meeting on Thursday, Mahoning Township Supervisors voted to raise the fire hydrant tax assessment for the upcoming year. The tax is only levied on properties near hydrants.

The rate will be set at $50, an increase of $1.50 from the current rate. The township pays $7,142 annually to Lehighton for the hydrants in the township. In 2018 the township only collected $6,198 from the tax, resulting in a $944 shortfall.

Supervisor Bruce Steigerwalt said, “The people that are paying this can thank their neighbors who don’t pay.”

Steigerwalt said the township is continually falling behind when it comes to the tax, and he doesn’t feel the bills should be paid out of the general fund.

In other matters:

• Supervisors noted there is a vacancy on the Municipal Sewer Authority.

• The road crew has been busy patching potholes throughout the township.

• Chairman Frank Ruch told board members that the 1996 dodge dump truck will soon need to be replaced.