Schuylkill Township's preliminary budget for 2015 holds the line on taxes, keeping the millage rate at 10.22.

The supervisors released information about the budget during a meeting Wednesday. Revenues are projected to be $442,685 and expenditures $442,315. The revenues will be boosted by an estimated $5,000 increase in the township's liquid fuels allocation, and the township was also able to save money by refinancing a 30-year United States Department of Agriculture loan.The township took out the $400,000 loan in 2006, using the money for roadwork and paving on Valley Road. The original loan rate was for 4.5 percent; supervisor Christine Verdier shopped around for several months before finding a 3.35 interest rate from Mauch Chunk Trust. The refinance will cut the terms of the loan from 30 to 10 years, saving the township about $100,000 over the life of the loan.During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents questioned the way an annual $1,000 deposit from Tuscarora Coal Company is handled. According to a 1977 decision in the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas, the Tuscarora Coal Company must give Schuylkill Township and Middleport borough each $1,000 per year to help cover road repairs on old Route 209, which is Valley Road. Trucks entering and leaving the coal company use the road.According to the court order, "the cash deposit will be held by a depository acceptable to the parties, in an interest-bearing account entitled Tuscarora Coal Company Township of Schuylkill Road Repair Deposit." Residents, including John Zubris and Paul Benulis, asked why the township no longer kept the money in a dedicated account. Last month, supervisor Chuck Fayash had raised the issue under public comment.Chairman Charles Hosler said he had researched the matter, and learned that the township did that until 2009, when it closed the account because the bank was charging the township a $45 fee for a business account. None of the current supervisors were in office when the account was closed; Hosler took office in 2009, Christine Verdier in 2011 and Chuck Fayash in 2014. Hosler also said that the township spent $89,000 to repave Valley Street in 2006.Township solicitor Mike Greek said he was look into the terms of the court order, to see if the annual $1,000 deposit must be in a separate bank account.The supervisors also voted to approve purchasing a plaque in honor of Mary "Liz" Bubel's service to the township. Bubel was the township secretary and treasurer for 17 years; she passed away in October. During the supervisor's October meeting, they approved Suzanne Apanavage as temporary secretary.During Wednesday night's meeting, they voted to advertise to fill the secretary/treasurer position, and also will be seeking proposals from people who are interested in cleaning the township building. They also honored Bubel by observing a moment of silence.