MAHANOY CITY - The federal government may help Mahanoy Township build a new garage and salt shed.
Michael J. Peleschak of Alfred Benesch and Co., the township's consulting engineers, announced the eligibility at the supervisors' Dec. 20 meeting. Peleschak said Benesch received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Dec. 18 stating the USDA Community Facilities Program had ruled the project eligible.
"We can go ahead and apply for the funding," supervisors Chairwoman Sharon Chiao said. "That would be a big plus for the township."
The township now uses an old building just north of Mahanoy City, but a new building would provide improved shelter for township equipment and afford storage of road salt to protect it from the weather. The new building will be next to the municipal building.
Depending on the amount of funding, Chiao said the proposed building may also include a police station. The current one is inside the municipal building.
"Right now, the police are working out of a small room," Chiao said.
The supervisors also formally adopted the township's 2013 operating budget, with the real-estate tax remaining at 9.09 mills with anticipated revenue of $324,450.
"There will be no tax increase for the township residents and services should remain the same," Chiao said.
The supervisors voted to advertise an ordinance to limit the number of pets. Residents over many months have complained at meetings about the number of animals, particularly cats, that are causing problems in certain areas. Some complaints have been about people who feed stray cats, causing them to gather and stay, resulting in animal waste and stench.
"This is for cats and dogs. The animals have to be under the owner's care, must be sheltered and cannot be strays, and the ordinance limits the number you can have at no more than five. This is to reduce the nuisance to neighbors."
The supervisors thanked everyone who helped with the township's Christmas party for the children, with special thanks to Mountain Valley Golf Course for its support this year.
In other business, the supervisors:
- Retained the accounting firm of Jones and Co., Pottsville, to conduct the audit for 2012.
- Re-appointed Jack Kelly for another term on the Mahanoy Township Authority Board of Directors.