Harford Township Supervisors were prepared to formally adopt a budget for 2018 at their meeting on December 19th. And so they did, but with the understanding that the budget could be reopened once the newest member, Kyle Payne, takes his seat at the table on January 2, 2018. An approved budget may be amended in January following a municipal election.
The new budget, in 4 parts, calls for a total expenditure of just under $1.5 million: $657,000 of that is in the so-called “Township” budget, financed primarily from property and earned income taxes; the so-called “State” budget expects to spend $268,800 derived from payments from the state; the budget for the sewer system is only slightly higher than for 2017, and at $136,800 is supported solely by sewer subscription fees; and the “impact fee” budget that depends exclusively on funds allocated by the state for natural gas exploitation under Act 13 of 2012 is projected at $410,000. The new budget anticipates no increase in tax rates. However, the Supervisors did agree to boost sewer fees to $150 per quarter per EDU (equivalent domestic unit – essentially, a single household) from $125. The new funds will be used in part to support the major sewer system renovation project. Notices of the sewer fee increase have already been sent out and will take effect in the 2nd quarter of 2018.
Local resident Jacob Rosen raised several questions about the budget, claiming that the new budget is “unbalanced and unconstitutional” and demanded that it be reopened next year. He said that for one thing, the impact fee budget does not reflect actual expenses in 2017 that he said seriously overran budgeted amounts. He asked what the township would do if the impact fee income was interrupted. His most vociferous complaint, however, focused on some $60,000 expected from royalties from gas production under 3 township properties.
Mr. Rosen said that a recent state Supreme Court decision requires that funds received from such royalties must be allocated exclusively to environmental protection (rather than simply added to the general fund as in this budget), pursuant to the “Environmental Rights Amendment” of the state constitution as adjudicated in Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in June 2017. Mr. Rosen, a member of the Susquehanna Clean Air Network (SCAN), remarked that SCAN might consider suing to enforce the requirement.
While the decision in that case appears to apply to the Commonwealth rather than to municipalities, a reference to the matter will be forwarded to the township’s solicitor for an opinion.
The budget was adopted as presented. Supervisor Dustin Walker said he would vote for it as long as it could be reopened and reevaluated next year.
The meeting actually opened with a discussion with Joe Hunt of the JHA Companies, the township’s engineers, regarding the purchase of a collection of new E-1 pumps for the sewer system under a grant of some $300,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). He presented some bid documents that cover the purchase and installation of about 50 of the pumps, including excavation and restoration where necessary. The township will solicit bids that will be opened at a special meeting on January 23, 2018. Mr. Hunt said that he expected the pumps would be purchased by the selected contractor, probably through the statewide COSTARS cooperative purchasing program, but the township could purchase the units itself, if necessary, and still be covered by the grant.
Responding to a question, Mr. Hunt said that he might be able to comment more effectively next month about the sewer plant renovation project. He said that he has recently conferred with the previous engineer, and is reviewing documents related to the $2 million project. The township’s lawyer has been working through some complaints from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about the project’s application.
The township will also purchase 4 new pumps for reserves. Many of the almost 600 pumps in the system have already been upgraded, but some remain the original Hydromatic pumps, are more than 20 years old, and are failing at an increasing rate.
The Supervisors reviewed an inspection report concerning a bridge on Plank Road. Most of the recommendations could be handled next year, as time is available.
Local resident Dale Ferger asked some questions about the township’s staff. The Supervisors would not respond to his request for the reason for the former Roadmaster’s dismissal. He also asked why the township paid for a new employee to train for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) when the township’s rules required that he obtain such a license within 90 days of employment. Supervisor Sue Furney said that The township has paid for such training in the past.
The Harford Township Supervisors will meet to organize themselves on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 7:00pm. They will use the opportunity to conduct their normal business following the reorganization meeting. All meetings take place in the township office on Route 547 just west of Interstate 81.