The Lower Towamensing Township supervisors increased the fire tax for 2021, but did not raise the general tax during their meeting on Dec. 8.

The fire tax was increased to 0.75 mills from 0.5 mills, a 50% increase. According to the budget, the fire fund has been allotted $10,202.

The funds will help the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company with expenses, said Christine Wentz, the township secretary. Due to COVID-19, the fire department has not been able to hold all of its fundraisers.

The general tax rate will remain unchanged at 1.6 mills. Other taxes that remain unchanged are:

• Real estate transfer tax at 1% of the selling price;

• Earned income tax at 1%;

• Local services tax at $52;

• Per capita tax at $5;

• Water tax at 0.4 mills for property owners within 780 feet of a fire hydrant, and;

• Light tax at 45 cents per front foot for property owners within 250 feet of streetlights.

In addition to the budget, the supervisors also adopted a resolution to pursue borrowing funds when needed for the public sewer project.

“They haven’t borrowed anything yet,” Wentz said.

The supervisors also decided to hire Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott LLC, a law firm in Harrisburg, to counsel them on acquiring a bond to help finance the sewer project.

Eventually, the new public sewer line will run down Little Gap Road. Sewage treatment will be provided by the plant in Palmerton and by the sewer treatment plant owned by the Blue Mountain Ski Resort.

In other business, the supervisors agreed to hire Kirk Summa and Co. LLP to perform the annual audit of the township’s financial records.

In a 2-1 vote, the supervisors approved a 2% raise for township employees. Voting yes were Supervisors Brent Green and Jay Mullikin, and no was Connie Brown. There are four full-time employees and one part-time employee.

Come January, the township plans to accept bids for garbage hauler. The current garbage hauler is County Waste.

The township also would like to get prices for recycling services. Garbage haulers can provide recycling prices for weekly pickup, biweekly and monthly.