Washington Township supervisors voted Wednesday night to raise township taxes for the first time in 15 years, approving a 0.2-mill increase as part of their preliminary 2026 budget plan.

Supervisor Shawn Wanamaker made the motion to increase the millage rate from 0.3 to 0.5 mill, which was seconded by Supervisor Tom Dengler. The motion passed unanimously.

Wanamaker said the increase is necessary to address long-overdue road repairs.

“If we brought up a 0.2-mill increase, this would increase people’s township taxes by two-thirds, and we would still be one of the lowest in the county,” Wanamaker said. “The main focus on the increase would be to put toward road improvement.”

Dengler agreed, stressing the township’s financial strain.

“We have roads in the township that have not been redone for 20 years,” he said. “We need money for the roads. The state has given us less and less. There is no money in the budget for major equipment repairs. Equipment has increased in price and the amount of time it takes to get it once it is ordered. I don’t want to raise taxes, but the longer we wait, the more expensive everything will get.”

Township Manager Wade Marlatt noted that the proposed 2026 budget currently balances. The budget will be advertised for 20 days and is expected to be approved at the December meeting.

Other business

• Supervisors approved the minutes from their Nov. 5 workshop, Oct. 15 budget and Oct. 7 regular meetings, along with the September treasurer’s report and bank reconciliations.

• The board also held executive sessions on Oct. 27 and 28 to interview candidates for the secretary/treasurer position. As a result, Brenda Park was hired for the position at $20 per hour with full benefits.

• In personnel matters, supervisors accepted the resignation of Joseph Mead as emergency management coordinator, effective Nov. 21, and appointed Matt Stevens as his replacement.

• The board also approved Resolution 2025-12, adding the 7.81-acre property of Earl and Kelly Zelner, 8367 Furnace Road, Slatington, to the township’s Agricultural Security Area.

• State police Lt. Jason R. Troutman, station commander for the Bethlehem Barracks, presented the annual police report to supervisors.

“I have a great bunch of young officers under my command,” Troutman said. “From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2025, calls from your area are down 10%. We had 65 criminal investigations and 43 arrests from that.”

Troutman reminded residents to call 911 for emergencies and the non-emergency number, which is 610-861-2026, for other concerns.