Twelve Neighs Of Christmas, Page 11
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DECEMBER 7-13, 2023
Nazareth Borough Council approves Final 2024 operating Budget; awards Volunteer, employee And veteran of the Year By SAVANNAH BROWN The Nazareth Borough Council met Monday, December 4 with several important resolutions and discussion of the final operating budget. First, council unanimously approved three resolutions for the borough’s volunteer, employee and veteran of the year. Jenny Swanker was honored as the borough’s volunteer of the year, Public Works Superintendent Keith Knecht was honored as the borough’s employee of the year and Council President Daniel Chiavaroli was honored as the borough’s veteran of the year. Upon receiving their Northampton County awards, Knecht was praised for his leadership and guidance by the rest of the Public Works crew, who all came to celebrate his achievement. During new business, the following public property agenda items were unanimously approved by council: the request of Nazareth Youth Soccer for use of Essroc Fields for the 2024 spring soccer practices,
games and clinics from March 20, 2024 through July 1, 2024; the request of Middle School Nazareth Baseball for use of the field in the park from the middle of February through the middle of May 2024; the request of Nazareth Area Youth Baseball & Softball to post two signs in the Circle for their spring 2023 signups from January 1 through February 5; and direction for the borough engineer to draw up specifications for public bid for the epoxy treatment of the firehouse’s floor. Under finance, council approved a “final” 2024 borough operating budget with a one mill tax increase, with the borough’s real estate tax rate for 2024 being 17 mills, as well as the borough’s budget resolution for 2024 calling for a one mill tax increase and establishing a real estate tax rate of 17 mills for all of 2024. The borough’s updated total real estate tax assessment for all properties as of November 1 is $125,515,000. Additionally, council apContinued on page 3
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Allen Township Supervisors Discuss Willowbrook Road Bridge closure and Fire incentive program By SAVANNAH BROWN The Allen Township Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, November 28 with a brief agenda. During unfinished business, the board unanimously granted a financial security and time extension request to Tim Livengood for the Stone Ridge Meadows development for the completion of Stone Ridge Loop Road through Dec. 1, 2024. The applicant expects that phase three of the residential project will be approved and secured by that time and they have provided a bond through that period of time. The board also unanimously approved authorization to solicit bids for the sale of various township equipment through Municbid, including a 2003 CAT 430D backhoe with broom/ bucket attachments, a trailer, a 1987 Case International tractor and miscellaneous liquid storage tanks and a few other items such as plows and other minor things. Next, supervisors unanimously approved a memorandum that included minor adjustments to township personnel policy sections 3.1 – Hours of Work, which will provide Public Works employees with two paid 15-minute rest periods per shift, and 4.14 – Inclement Weather, which addresses limited work duties from home during inclement weather and is something the township was already been implementing
but are just now moving forward with the formality of the process. In other business, the board discussed possibly implementing a fire incentive program for volunteer firefighters that would provide those who qualify with a financial incentive in the form of credits against Northampton County real estate taxes. In recent months, Northampton County began implementing a program, which they call the Active Volunteer Real Estate Tax Credit Ordinance. Not to be confused with payment for services, the credit is an incentive that is in response to the declining trends and numbers of volunteer firefighters and to encourage others to become involved as active volunteers. Another incentive discussed was the reimbursement of gas mileage for volunteers living outside the township. Additionally, the county has implemented the ordinance, but neighboring municipalities have not yet begun providing the incentive within their fire departments either, so the board must develop their own criteria to implement the credits if they end up choosing to do so. Per the county ordinance, each individual meeting the eligibility requirements will receive a real estate tax credit in the amount of the real estate tax paid by the volunteer, not to exceed $250 each year. Therefore, the credit
is based on the millage rate of the municipality where the volunteer resides and is not a fixed amount, so the maximum credit they may receive is up to $250. Vice Chairman Gary Behler felt that this incentive would be unfair for individuals whose property may not be assessed as high as others, so some individuals would receive more than others. Other supervisors agreed with Behler that there should be a cap on the credit amount that volunteers can receive and there was also discussion of considering a proposal for a flat rate and one for a cap, as well as the incorporation of gas mileage, so that they can assess which guidelines and criteria they prefer. Although the ordinance only became effective within the last two months at the county level, eligible active volunteers from the 2023 tax year will be eligible for the real estate tax credit for the 2024 tax year since it is based on the previous year’s participation. Continued on page 2
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