Chestnuthill Township supervisors unanimously adopted a 2014 budget with no tax increase.

The total budget expenditures for 2014 is $4,810,816. It was $4,058,736 in 2013. The majority of that increase in expenditures will be funded by a $600,000 Local Share Grant that was awarded to the township to be used to rebuild a portion of Lake Mineola Road, in addition to building a new road leading to the Brodheadsville Pocono Healthy Systems facility, currently under construction.The millage rate will remain at 5.2 mills. That means that for every $25,000 of assessment (one-quarter of the assessed value) $130 will be paid in Chestnuthill Township real estate taxes.The projected revenues are broken down to: Earned Income Tax, $1,400,000; Real Estate Tax, $1,065,000; Grants, $774,882; State Shared Revenue, $730,379; Savings, $290,477; License and Permits, $224,000; Other Sources, $326,078 (fines and forfeits, interest earnings, general operating costs, public safety, recycling, culture/recreation, transfer station tower.)The projected expenses for 2014 are: Highway and streets, $2,257,142; Public Safety, $821,606; Debt payments, insurance and taxes, $733,082; Culture and recreation, $171,941; Community Development, $65,000.The budget includes a capital improvement fund to maintain bridges, roads and other infrastructure. The fund is used to leverage grants for infrastructure improvement projects such as the McIlhaney Road Culvert replacement project is included in the 2014 budget, using a portion of the capital improvements fund, but is contingent upon the award of a $40,000 Local Share grant request.The budget is available for the public to view at the township municipal building located on Route 715, Brodheadsville.Before the beginning of the regular supervisors' meeting there was a hearing on the board acting on Ordinance 2013-03. It authorizes the entry into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with respect to the establishment of a joint board of appeals to hear appeals, requests for variance or extensions of time under the provisions of the Uniform Construction Code and authorizing other necessary action. The supervisors appointed Karen Hayes as its representative. She is currently a member of the township's building codes board.In other township business, the board approved:• a wage adjustment for part-time temporary snow plow drivers to $23.14 an hour• a maintenance agreement for a commercial sewage disposal system with Alexios Kotretsos, owner of Chestnuthill Diner. Township solicitor Joseph McDonald recommended that the supervisors get a signed memorandum from the owner that he agrees to design and place a sufficiently sized four-year fill site to be located in the location of the removed system by Dec. 31, 2014, and then the supervisors could sign the agreement.• Resolution 2013-26 for the intent to follow procedures to dispose of EIT records• Resolution 2013-27 to dispose of EIT records for years 2001-2006.Resident Stuart Thoady commented that he knows it has been a difficult year for Chestnuthill Township, from organizing the celebration of the township's 250th anniversary to suffering the loss of supervisor Dave Fleetwood in the tragic event at Ross Township. He commended the supervisors for the way they handled all. He also said the township was well served by its legal counsel.