Politics & Government
Township Supervisors Review $14.8M Draft Budget
The proposed 2012 budget, which is only in draft form and has not formally been introduced by the supervisors, would keep taxes flat for residents.
A $14.8 million draft budget for 2012 was reviewed Wednesday by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors. The draft budget is slightly up from 2011 but currently contains no tax increase, according to officials.
"This draft does not contain a tax increase," said Township Manager Joseph Czajkowski.
In 2011, Newtown Township’s tax rate was 2.5 mils—or $94 for the average homeowner. The 2011 budget of $14.7 million kept taxes flat for residents from the year before.
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The budget is only in draft form and has not formally been introduced by the supervisors.
After Czajkowski's presentation, Board Chairman Robert Ciervo raised two concerns: pension funds and a contracting deal with the borough.
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Non-uniformed employees currently do not contribute to a pension, Ciervo said, but he thinks they should. He said he would like to see all employees, including administrative employees, contribute to pension funds.
Ciervo also added that he thinks the township should discuss the payment it receives from the borough for contracting out a service to do the fire inspections. He said he doesn't know how long it has been since that fee has changed.
"I'd like to see a benchmarking of that fee," Ciervo said. "It's a small area, but all these areas start to add up."
In other business Wednesday, Planning Commission Chairman Allen Fidler gave an update on The Promenade Zoning Hearing Board application. The Promenade is the mixed-use development slated for the former Acme site. The developer, McGrath, is seeking to make changes to the initial application.
Fidler said he doesn't think the township should oppose the application at the Zoning Hearing Board but asked that a few conditions be considered. Because of parking concerns, he said eateries with a drive-through window should not be permitted because it will decrease parking from about 152 spaces to 115.
He also mentioned residential units should have no more than one bedroom due to parking restraints.
Ciervo also voiced concern with residential parking. He said that if there aren't enough spots in the lot, residents will take to the streets for parking, which will then make it difficult for visitors to find street parking.
A revised plan for The Promenade is up before the Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the township building.
