KELAYRES - Kline Township's budget for 2013 holds the line on taxes and was passed on first reading at Monday's supervisors meeting.
Supervisor Francis Patton said anticipated revenue for 2013 is $737,142 and estimated expenditures amount to $512,687 leaving a $224,455 difference. However, he said the difference includes the police pension funds.
Tax millage remains the same as last year at 9.212 mills. The board expects to formally adopt the budget on Dec. 31.
Monday's vote on first reading was 3-0 in favor.
"Garbage fees will also remain the same at $170 next year," board Chairman Carmen Cara said. "The garbage fee has remained the same for the third straight year."
The township has one full-time police officer, Chief John Petrilla, but according to Cara, the township may hire another full-time police officer.
"We're going to be looking at hiring a full-time police officer for the second shift in the near future. Part-time officers have been covering the second shift in recent years," Cara said.
The supervisors voted 3-0 to have Berkheimer collect all earned income taxes and local service taxes, replacing Centax.
Township solicitor Mark Semanchik suggested the board "allow for a smooth transition from Centax to Berkheimer to allow the taxes to flow back to the township in a timely fashion."
"They had a lot of problems with Centax," Cara said.
A Dollar General store will open in the township sometime in 2013, according to the board.
The actual date isn't known yet but the company intends to build a structure on South Hancock Street near McAdoo borough alongside Standard Drug and about 10 percent of the business will be in the borough with 90 percent will be in the township.
"It looks very promising at this point," Semanchik said.
Two residents voiced complaints about their alley being passed up by the snow plow. The residents, Isaac Ferrara and Matt Stania, said the plow did not push the snow out of the alley near Fourth Street.
Cara said if vehicles are parked in the alley, township equipment will not be able to get through.
Gary Perna, who works for the township, said five or six vehicles are usually parked in the alley.
Township officials said if vehicles are blocking the way, township equipment will not attempt to go down the alley.
Cara suggested residents in the future park their cars and other vehicles along a street where parking is legal to allow the township to plow the alley.
"If there is one car in the alley we don't plow it," Perna said, adding that school bus routes are plowed first and streets and roads are cleared by the township according to its plan.