Walker Township supervisors voted last week to officially adopt the 2022 draft budget for the township. The budget contains no new taxes.

The real estate taxes will remain at 5.29 mills, plus 1 mill for the New England Fire Company.

The budget’s total income is listed at $297,930, and total expenses of $371,324, with a net deficit of $73,394. This is for the general fund. Total restricted income, such as liquid fuels tax, fire tax, grants, etc. will be approximately $210,161. That income is specific for certain projects and not part of the general fund. The full budget was advertised in the Times News, and copies of the budget can be acquired at the Walker Township Municipal Building.

Supervisors also made a motion to change the potential fines for the nuisance ordinance for the township. At present, the fine is $1,000, regardless of the situation. The supervisors, after advertising the proposed change, will make the fines range from $100 to $1,000, allowing the magistrates to better assess each situation.

“Usually, ordinances have a range of fines,” solicitor Chris Riedlinger explained, “and the magistrate will pick the appropriate one for the violation. The ordinance as it is written now, sets every violation at $1,000, which is the maximum fine that a municipality can set. So, for every single violation, whether it’s your first one or your 10th one, whether it’s a severe violation or just a simple one, $1,000 fine. Usually that’s not a good idea to have it that way, just out of fairness.”

The supervisors also voted to acquire two credit cards through the Mauch Chunk Trust Co., one for office use with a limit of $500, the other for the roadmaster department with a $1,500 limit.

New England Fire Co.

For November, the fire company responded to five calls, working fires, an explosion, a brush fire, and an automatic fire alarm.

The fire company held a burger night fundraiser on Nov. 24 and a lottery raffle ticket fundraiser.

2022 appointments

The following positions for Walker Township are up for reappointment. The people who currently are in these positions will be asked if they will continue their appointments for 2022:

Planning Commission: Craig Wagner and Matthew Koch

Zoning Hearing Board: Ron Farrell

ESRC (Recreation): Kent Heisler and Christine Troxell

ESRP (Zoning): Christine Troxell and Randall Bensinger

Chairman Vacancy Board: Christine Troxell