Penn Forest fire companies set for public meeting Monday night

Representatives from both volunteer fire companies in Penn Forest are preparing this weekend for an important public meeting to be held Monday night (Nov. 23) at 7 p.m. at the Penn Forest Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 on State Route 903.

The meeting was called by Penn Forest Supervisors and will allow officials from both emergency services companies to answer questions from residents about a proposed new Fire Tax supervisors plan to levy and build into next year's budget.

Supervisors had hoped to put the tax up for voter consideration but missed the statutory deadline to get it on the ballot for the last election. In order to balance the budget for next year, supervisors expect to levy a half-mill fire tax that will cost residents about $50 per year per $100,000 assessed value of their home.

At a meeting last month, Paul Montemuro, supervisor chairman, said that should supervisors levy the tax, they would seek an agreement with the fire companies, specifying exactly how the monies would be spent.

All residents of Penn Forest Township are urged to attend the meeting.