Lower Towamensing Township plans to check into an amusement tax.

After continued questions from residents Tuesday night, township solicitor Jim Nanovic asked the board if it would be alright for him to send a copy of a draft amusement tax ordinance to Berkheimer.

“If we’re going to do this (amusement tax), we’re going to have to get some kind of idea what (type) of revenue we can get out of it,” Nanovic said. “If there’s a chance to get money out of it, I would do it.”

Supervisors Chairwoman Connie Brown said the board did have some discussion on the subject since residents Connie and Rich Banko broached the idea with supervisors at July’s meeting.

The Bankos were in attendance again Tuesday, questioning supervisors.

Connie Banko brought up how last month Supervisor Michael Takerer mentioned that he got a call from Blue Mountain Resort about a donation.

Banko asked Takerer why Blue Mountain Resort called Takerer, and why they themselves didn’t come to a township supervisors meeting.

“I personally know the general manager,” Takerer said. “That’s why he approached me and asked for a list of projects.”

Banko then surmised that based on the discussion at last month’s meeting, it appeared as if it was decided it was going to be a donation and that the township would not pursue an amusement tax.

Brown told Banko no decision was made by the board.

“An amusement tax is still on the table,” Nanovic said. “No one here has said we’re not looking at an amusement tax.”

Banko reiterated that an amusement tax would be the best way for the township to go because it would generate ongoing revenue for the township.

She said that Blue Mountain Resort would come and obtain an amusement tax permit, and added for admission to take a percentage of gross receipts.

Banko said Blue Mountain Resort holds events throughout the year that have nothing to do with skiing.

Rich Banko told the board that last year Blue Mountain Resort grossed $72.4 million.

He then cited the buildings and trailers it has on the property, and asked why the buildings aren’t being assessed.

Rick Banko noted that when the late founder and former President Ray Tuthill started then-named Little Gap Ski Area, he used to give the township $25,000.

Resident Steve Meining also voiced his support for an amusement tax.

“I definitely concur with this amusement tax thing,” Meining said. “I’m the type of guy who (likes) things rolling.”

Meining then asked the board what type of time frame its looking at, to which Nanovic told him he couldn’t answer that.

Takerer said last month that Blue Mountain Resort asked for a list of projects, and noted one of his thoughts was possibly for the septic system at the Stoney Ridge Recreation Center.

Rich Banko told the board he believes that the Aquashicola Fire Company and Palmerton Area School District could surely use the money.

Brent Green, a member of the Aquashicola Fire Company, cited instances where the resort has donated labor and supplies to the fire company.

Takerer encouraged everyone at that time to come up with a list for him to give to Blue Mountain Resort for its consideration.

Connie Banko asked the board whether it was planning to accept a donation in lieu of an amusement tax.

She said that seemingly every month Blue Mountain Resort adds a new event, all the more reason for the township to charge a levy on amusements to generate additional revenue.

Resident Ralph Cortazzo said last month they were talking about this back in 1986 when he served on Palmerton Area School Board.

“There’s no reason in the world we shouldn’t charge at least a dollar a ticket split between us and the school district would solve a lot of problems,” Cortazzo said last month.

Cortazzo added at that time that visitors come to the area and spend a good amount of money, and inferred that to charge them a dollar a ticket wouldn’t be too much to ask.

“We get the traffic, they’re using our roads,” Banko said last month. “There’s a lot of events you could probable go after.”