NESHANNOCK TWP. Growth boosts budget

Some sewer rates will increase next year.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Township growth is benefiting Neshannock Township taxpayers for 2005. Supervisors proposed the township's 2005 budget this week without an increase in taxes.
Township Secretary Leslie Bucci said the township's property valuation grew from $608 million to $621 million for 2005, which was the largest growth of any community in Lawrence County. This growth means an additional $19,000 in annual revenue for the township.
Next year's budget totals $10.4 million, which includes the general fund budget of nearly $2.5 million and all other funds, including 2003 bond proceeds, fire fund, liquid fuels, Hess Ice Rink and sewer funds.
Tax figures
Bucci said the proposed budget is a $200,000 increase from last year. The taxes will remain at 0.80 mill for general purpose, 0.20 mill for debt service and 0.42 mill for fire tax.
Although the property valuation grew by $13 million, the township can calculate taxes on only $8 million of the increase because of tax abatement on industrial properties.
Bucci said that the township should see a substantial increase in property tax revenue in two years because most of the industrial properties are in their third year of the five-year tax abatement plan.
The township also benefited from $20,000 in property transfer tax revenue.
Sewer rates will increase by $3 per quarter for minimum-usage customers. The minimum usage is estimated at 24,000 gallons per quarter based on the resident's water bill.
There was also a 25-cent increase in sewer overage charge. Rates will change from $1.75 to $2 for every 750 gallons over the 24,000 gallons used for each quarter.
Supervisor Chairman Gale Measel said, "Our goal as public servants is to take care of those that cannot afford an increase in taxes, by trying to manage with growth and spending control throughout the township."
The proposed budget will be on display at the township municipal building, and is scheduled for adoption at the last meeting of the year at 8 a.m. Dec. 29.
New handbook
In other business, the supervisors adopted an employee handbook. Supervisor John DiCola said the handbook summarizes working conditions, benefit information and expectations of township employees.
Final plans were approved for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's road-widening project on Mercer Road from Maitland Lane north to 800 feet past Mitchell Road.
The final plans also include a traffic light at Maitland Lane and Mercer Road. DiCola said PennDot advised him that work should begin in March of 2005.
A public hearing will be at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15 on a liquor license transfer from Bessemer Borough to Calls Plaza Restaurant Inc.