Property owners in Foster Township will be paying the same amount in property taxes in 2017.
On Monday, the township supervisors approved a $4,815,366 budget that Supervisor Dale Phillips called “fiscally responsible.” The millage rate will remain at 5.
“I feel great (about holding taxes steady). I think that’s why they voted me in,” said Supervisor chairman George Hocker after the meeting.
Hocker said the township isn’t expected to see any major increases in the new year. The budget pretty much is the same as the 2016 version, said township secretary/treasurer Shannon Morgan.
Among the items on tap for next year is realigning Hedgehog Lane, a project that could total more than $100,000. The township is hoping to use grant money toward the project, Hocker said.
Another project involves the relocation of signs and poles near Crosby’s/Tim Hortons on East Main Street to improve driving conditions in that section of the municipality. In September, it was reported in The Era that the overall cost of the project would be $87,000. The township is hoping to receive a grant for the work.
The supervisors appointed Andrew Szafran as a full-time police officer, effective Dec. 5.
In another police matter, Police Chief Tom Munn recognized Shaun McDonald for his efforts in helping to defuse a situation that involved a woman who brandished a firearm in Walmart in the township. She was in a standoff with police for about 10 minutes until she eventually surrendered.
Munn told McDonald that he is proud to have him as a police officer for the township.
Also at the meeting, Munn provided an update on address signs in the municipality, saying he figures 95 percent of the township has followed the ordinance. In fact, Munn said about 60 percent of structures not previously in compliance are now. The township code requires a 4-inch sign showing numbers, not script.
“We’re getting better,” Munn said as far as compliance. Earlier this year the township started cracking down on individuals who do not have the proper address signs.
Munn said he has been going door to door to structures not in compliance with the ordinance. Code Enforcement Officer Bob Baker said he would also help with the task.
Also at the meeting, Hocker said more than 200 of the estimated 300 people have gotten their properties hooked up to the sewer system extension. He said certified letters have been sent out to individuals not in compliance.
Plans call for after Christmas to start charging those who do not have a contractor lined up to connect the property to the sewer system or those avoiding hooking up it. Bills would be sent out in January, Hocker said.
In his report at the meeting, Munn reported for November that there were 175 complaints, 12 of which were motor vehicle violations, as well as 35 citations were issued and 15 criminal investigations were conducted.
Also at the meeting, the supervisors approved the sale of a property at 22 Lincolndale Road from the county’s repository to Eric Peters and Beth Tingey for $250. The structure will be torn down.
A supervisors work session meeting scheduled for Dec. 15 has been canceled. The next regular meeting is slated for Jan. 3.
