The proposed 2014 budget for Chestnuthill Township has no tax increase.

The millage rate will remain at 5.2 mills. Township manager David Albright said if a home is assessed at $50,000 ( of assessed value), the home owner would pay $260 in Chestnuthill Township taxes.The budget expenditures total $4,810,816, compared to last year's $4,058,736. The majority of the increase will be funded by a $600,000 Local Share Grant that Chestnuthill was awarded. The funds will be used to rebuild a portion of Lake Mineola Road in addition to building a new road leading to the Brodheadsville Pocono Health Systems Facility, which is now under construction.In a pie chart, Albright showed how the projected township revenues are broken down: 29 percent ($1,400,000) Earned Income Tax; 22 percent ($1,065,000) real estate tax; 16 percent ($774,882) grants; 15 percent ($730,379) state shared revenue; six percent ($290,477) savings; five percent ($224,000) license and permits; seven percent ($326,078) other sources such as fines, forfeits, interest earnings, general operating costs, public safety, recycling, culture/recreation and transfer station tower.The projected expenses break down to: 47 percent ($2,257,142) highways and streets; 17 percent ($821,606) public safety; 16 percent ($762,045) debt payments, insurance, taxes; 15 percent ($733,082) general government expenses; four percent ($171,941) culture and recreation; one percent ($65,000) community development."It's a tight budget but we think we can work with it for the township residents' best interests," said Albright.The final budget adoption is slated for the Dec. 17 supervisors' meeting.The proposed budget is available for the public to view at the office or on the website www.chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov. If anyone has questions about it, call Albright at 570-992-7247.Beautification awardThe supervisors and the Pride in Chestnuthill committee, presented the PIC award to ESSA Bank and Trust Brodheadsville branch. This award is presented each year to a local business that the committee believes best exemplifies its efforts to beautify the township. PIC encourages everyone to help keep the community clean and green.Accepting on behalf of ESSA was Barbara Konawalik, branch manager, and Kelly Borger, assistant branch manager."We're very proud to receive this award. We like making our area pleasant for customers. I was very excited to hear we received this," Konawalik said.Bernie Kozen, executive director of West End Parks and Open Space Commission, said that there were 300 Trick or Treaters at the park's Trick or Treat Night and 12 prizes were awarded for best costumes. He was pleased to have so many local organizations participate. the next big event will be on Friday, Dec. 6 from 6-8 p.m. when Santa Claus will be at the Chestnuthill Township Park building. He reported that the the commission received a $26,000 Marcellus Shale grant that will be used to improve the parks' trails.Albright said that the Chestnuthill Township Historical Society is in the process of cleaning and moving township's tax records to better storage. These are available for people who are doing historical research.In the township's director of Emergency Management, Donald Zipp's report, it stated that West End Ambulance responded to 103 calls, seven of which required two ambulances and the Pennsylvania State Police responded to 331 calls for service, 34 of which were for collision investigations, 32 burglar alarms and 20 theft investigations.