The Lower Towamensing Township supervisors adopted the 2018 budget Tuesday night at their meeting with no tax increase.

“We are in good shape due to good management,” said Supervisor Ronald Walbert.

The general mill tax will remain at 1.6 mills, the real estate tax at 1 percent of the selling price, and earned income tax at 1 percent. Other taxes include the fire tax at 0.5 mills, light tax at 45 cents, water tax at 0.4 mills, local service tax at $52 and per capita tax at $5.

Soliciting bids

The supervisors also discussed whether or not to solicit bids for a new auditor, engineer, solicitor and well/septic officer.

The suggestion came up because Sewage Enforcement Officer Sean Corey stepped down, which leaves his position to fill.

Chairman Brent Green thought it might be a good time to solicit for bids for better prices for services.

“I have a problem with soliciting for a new engineer and solicitor,” Walbert said. “I’m very happy with the engineer and solicitor.”

Carbon Engineering in Summit Hill provides engineering services to the township and attorney James Nanovic serves as the township’s solicitor.

“Suppose you put it out and you get a cheaper price, it doesn’t mean you have better quality,” Walbert said.

Walbert said he is also happy with the work done by the township’s auditor, the certified public accounting firm Kirk Summa and Co. Inc. in East Stroudsburg. He asked Nanovic if the township has to accept the lowest bid for services, and was told that they do not. With that, he said he would entertain bids for auditor.

For SEO, township secretary Christine Wentz told the board that Scott Bieber expressed interest in stepping into Corey’s role. He works as sewage enforcement officer for several municipalities in the area. Green said they should contact Bieber to find out if he is willing to take the work.

Recreation

The supervisors decided to wait to vote on tiered rental fees for the pavilion, concession stand and the Stoney Ridge Park and Recreation Center.

“I think we spent so much money on it that we should have a two-tiered system,” Walbert said.

The recreation area has cost more than $58,000, and was partially funded with grants.

The concession stand and pavilion have been rented to residents for $75. Nonresidents pay $100 for both.

Parks and Recreation Board member Bob Kester said the board has considered a $300 rental fee for the center with a $100 security deposit.

Walbert would also like to see a tiered fee for the recreation center.

Kester said the recreation board can discuss it and get back to the supervisors.

Currently, the center does not have an occupancy permit, because the water is still a little cloudy. Kester said he goes out to the center and checks the water every day, but the cloudiness persists despite the new water treatment equipment.

Green said it is probably the microbial count and high iron levels. He recommended getting the water tested. Once it passes the test, an occupancy permit can be issued and the center will be ready to be rented.

Act 172

The supervisors also discussed the Act 172 Fire Tax Credit, which will give firefighters a tax credit for their volunteer service.

Green said some municipalities are offering a 20 percent tax credit for property tax or earned income tax. Some are offering both.

Walbert said he thinks they need more information about what the local firefighters want.

Nanovic said the tax credit doesn’t get applied until 2019, so there is time to decide what would be best for the firefighters and the township.