The Towamensing Township supervisors gave approval to their 2013 budget.

Under the budget, taxes for the new year are: real estate, 2 mills; earned income tax, one-half of 1 percent; occupational privilege, $10; local services tax, $10 and per capita, $10. The budget is available for viewing in the township office.In other business, Susan Gegeckas addressed Towamensing supervisors about garbage pickup during the Dec. 6 supervisors meeting. She said her pickup day at Pheasant Hill development is normally on a Monday but since September there have been pickups as late as Thursday.Supervisor Guy Seifert said there has been an exceptional amount of trash being put out throughout the township. A possibility is to shorten the routes and schedule some people for other days.The township has its own trash collection operation.Gegeckas said she had called the office about the problem but did not receive a return phone call. Secretary Lora Nothstein said she returns all phone calls when a number is left.Supervisor Penny Kleintop said the people who collect the garbage are the same ones that plow the roads, which will take priority.Lori Ahner said she came back from Afghanistan and stopped at the municipal building to pay her 2012 garbage bill and found she had to also pay the 2011 bill.She was "appalled" that there was no military discount.Costs for garbage pickup for 2013 will be $190 per year per family, $125 for a couple, and $105 for a single person.Charles Laviolette, representative to the Palmerton Area Library, said the goal was reached before Thanksgiving on a $2,500 matching grant.Upcoming events at the library are a Christmas sale in the basement book shop. Participants can buy a tote bag and fill it with books without charge.On Dec. 11 there will be a children's Christmas party for ages 3 through third grade. Youngsters are urged to attend wearing pajamas. Events includes story telling, music, craft by the children, and snacks. This is sponsored by the Teen Group.A Jan. 27 art show and lunch are scheduled.Tutors are needed for the Homework Helpers group, especially someone to teach math.Karl Rolappe will schedule a January meeting to complete the agreement giving the Towamensing Historical Commission the Greenzweig School and leasing the property it sits on.Steve Parisi needs information so a developer's agreement can be drawn up for a new state police barracks.Solicitor Tom Nanovic has some comments which he will forward to Parisi. The construction period was increased from 12 months to 18 months.Seifert asked if he has his National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit. He said he expected it shortly.Greg Haas from Carbon Engineering said he hasn't seen the revised lighting plan. Kleintop said a revised plan was requested in August.Required are the developer's agreement, stormwater agreement, maintenance agreement and agreements with the two adjoining property owners. Parisi said he had the adjoiner agreements completed but the township has not seen them.Haas said he wants to be sure the design uses modern technology so what would normally be impervious paving will be pervious letting water pass through.Hemlock Street Bridge has been reopened after metal plates were used to reinforce guide rails. Guide rails were also placed along Forest Street.Values for buildings and rolling stock have to be within 10 percent of the real value or insurance will not make payments. The fire company has to provide the same information as the township is collecting.Carl Faust has been appointed as the new zoning officer. He can be reached at

zoning@towzoning.com or 570-943-2577.Wayne Knirnschild and Dick Bachert of the Towamensing Fire Company were the first responders when there was a fire in the back of a garbage truck. The fire was the result of hot ashes being put out. Ashes will no longer be picked up unless they are bagged.A meeting with the recreation commission will be held Dec. 20.The end of year meeting will be held Dec. 28 at 3 p.m.A zoning-SALDO workshop with Lower Towamensing will be held after the planning commission meeting on Dec. 10.