Washington Township supervisors adopted a new 2012 budget with the tax rate remaining at 0.9 mill.

The budget began with a carry-over of $150,000. Real estate taxes will provide $120,000, a cable franchise fee estimated at $95,000, and an earned income tax contribution totaling $730,000 are included the $1,360,940 budget.Added to the draft budget is $600 to pay for hepatitis C vaccinations for the firemen.The state highway aid was reduced by $2,422 because of the lower census figures.There is $55,000 budgeted for the three fire companies' truck funds. The ambulance will receive a $5,000 donation.Anti skid and salt for the roads will cost $36,000.Eagles Nest and three athletic associations will each receive $600.The rails-trails project is expected to cost $15,000.Capitol Blue Cross is listed for $108,936.The $229,947 budgeted for streets comes from a state motor license fund.Joel Merkel, Friedens fire chief, brought a quote for cleaning the pond across Route 873 from Friedens Church.The quote presented was from Leo Livengood. It was not opened. Merkel was expecting someone to bring a second one, but the 12-minute meeting was over before another person arrived.In November, the fire company was told it would need quotes before the township could make a decision about cleaning the pond. The work has been approved by the church, which owns the property, and the Department of Environmental Protection.When the company originally requested the township be responsible for the work, Dirt Solutions had given them a quote which was not accurate because the scope of work changed. It is preferred but not required that three quotes be received.The pond's importance comes from its use as a dry hydrant water source which provides water for the fire trucks.A lot line adjustment at Oak Ridge and Spring Valley roads was requested by Patricia Szapacs and Richard DeFrain. It would mean a transfer of 0.42 acres to DeFrain. The land is in the rural village zoning district.Future Focus asked for a $300 donation toward the cost of printing brochures of all historical markers in Walnutport, Slatington and Washington. A graphic artist from Kutztown has been working with the group to design the brochure. The donation was approved.