Polk Township proposed 2018 budget has no tax increase

Polk Township supervisors held a brief public meeting Monday night to review the proposed municipal budget for 2018. The new budget does not include any tax increases and maintains the current 4.3 mills.

The budget summary shows a balanced budget total of $3,280,110 for the 2018 fiscal year.

There will be a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18, at which time the supervisors will take public comments on the proposed budget and vote on its adoption.

The supervisors also accepted the resignation/retirement of longtime zoning and codes enforcement officer, Gerald Zurat effective Jan. 31. Justin Burker was hired to replace Zurat.

Burker will start immediately at a rate of $20 per hour with a 90-day probationary period.

Chairman Brian Ahner announced that Hell Hollow Road has been reopened and is basically complete except for a few finishing details. The township approved a payment in the amount of $46,937 toward the project.

Based on the recommendation of township engineer, Russell Kresge Jr., the township will withhold $6,019 from the final payment to ensure that the job is fully completed.

The supervisors approved payment in the amount of $5,300 for purchase of the strip of land 0.677 acres which will give the township access to the stream bank on the Polk Township Road property.

Supervisor Carl Heckman suggested that the township create a recreation board. Ahner and supervisor Michael Hurley agreed and made a motion for the township to advertise for residents who are interested in volunteering for the board to submit letters of interest.

The township will also host its 20th annual tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Twenty trees will be lit at Adam’s Faith Garden and Santa will arrive by firetruck.