Residents are asking the township to fix roads in 2015, particularly Lower Virginia Avenue. Harmony Township Commissioners voted recently to approve a $2,938,785 proposed budget for 2015 without a tax increase.
advertisement At 30 mills, a property owner with an assessed value of $50,000 would continue to pay $1,500. One mill equals about $46,000 for the township. Of the millage, 21.7 mills are for general purposes and 8.25 mills are for debt service.
Commissioners Chairman Glenn Angus said Wednesday the township ended $270,000 in debt last year, but not this year.
“We are not in debt this year. We are finishing even.”
Commissioners also approved a tax anticipation note from ESB Bank for $200,000 at a 1.99 percent interest rate, as a back up for the township’s cash flow while taxes are still being collected.
A special meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 to establish the 2015 tax rates and formally adopt the budget.
Attention to Roads
Residents of Lower Virginia Avenue complained to commissioners about the condition of their road, calling it a safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians alike, and questioned why the proposed budget didn’t set aside funds to fix roads.
Mark Dunn said his children can't play or ride their bicycles on the street because of the condition and he cited an instance where a neighbor broke two tire belts on his vehicle.
"It's absolutely horrible," said Dunn, who gave the commissioners photos he took of the street.
Manager Janet Miklos said she recently met with the Beaver County Community Development office to find out the township's possibilities for grant funding. Because of the income level guidelines -- grants come from HUD -- funding opportunities are slimmer for road improvements.
"We have applied for funding for Lower Virginia Avenue and it got turned down for 2012."
Harmony applied for an $83,000 grant in 2012 through the Community Development Block Grant program, but fell short of qualifying based on resident income levels.
Miklos said the township is actively seeking other grant funds while keeping the budget tight.
Commissioners Chairman Glenn Angus said Wednesday the township ended $270,000 in debt last year, but not this year.
“We are not in debt this year. We are finishing even.”
Commissioners also approved a tax anticipation note from ESB Bank for $200,000 at a 1.99 percent interest rate, as a back up for the township’s cash flow while taxes are still being collected.
A special meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 to establish the 2015 tax rates and formally adopt the budget.
Attention to Roads
Residents of Lower Virginia Avenue complained to commissioners about the condition of their road, calling it a safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians alike, and questioned why the proposed budget didn’t set aside funds to fix roads.
Mark Dunn said his children can't play or ride their bicycles on the street because of the condition and he cited an instance where a neighbor broke two tire belts on his vehicle.
"It's absolutely horrible," said Dunn, who gave the commissioners photos he took of the street.
Manager Janet Miklos said she recently met with the Beaver County Community Development office to find out the township's possibilities for grant funding. Because of the income level guidelines -- grants come from HUD -- funding opportunities are slimmer for road improvements.
"We have applied for funding for Lower Virginia Avenue and it got turned down for 2012."
Harmony applied for an $83,000 grant in 2012 through the Community Development Block Grant program, but fell short of qualifying based on resident income levels.
Miklos said the township is actively seeking other grant funds while keeping the budget tight.
advertisement Angus said there have been unfortunate issues in the township resulting in criminal charges that have had a "major adverse affect" on the township's stability, as well as the rebuilding and restructuring of it.
Angus said the township may be able to address some roads they know are concerns, and are looking at their options. He said said Harmony will seek grants and possibly finance a couple of roads.
Engineer and public works officials estimated it would cost roughly $100,000 to complete the road.
Resident Bill Christner said the road is an eyesore and affecting his property values, and needs to be addressed soon.
“We all live within our budgets," said Steve Kammerdiener. "We’re all just saying that road has reached a point it can’t be denied anymore…the road is at that point.”
In other business, commissioners:
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Angus said the township may be able to address some roads they know are concerns, and are looking at their options. He said said Harmony will seek grants and possibly finance a couple of roads.
Engineer and public works officials estimated it would cost roughly $100,000 to complete the road.
Resident Bill Christner said the road is an eyesore and affecting his property values, and needs to be addressed soon.
“We all live within our budgets," said Steve Kammerdiener. "We’re all just saying that road has reached a point it can’t be denied anymore…the road is at that point.”
In other business, commissioners:
- Hired Michael Thomas as a full-time laborer.
- Announced fourth quarter sewage bills will be mailed out Jan. 5 with payments due by Jan. 31.
- Announced garbage collection normally scheduled for Thursday will occur the day after Christmas on Friday, Dec 26 and the day after New Year’s on Friday, Jan. 2.
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