Nov 20, 2015 3 min read

Peters Township residents should not see a property tax increase next year.

Taxes will remain at 13 mills, with the value of one mill equaling $342,469, said Michael Silvestri, township manager.

The proposed 2016 operating budget is $20.626 million, up $694,462 from last year’s budgeted expenditures. Total revenue for 2016 is projected at $17.15 million, down $864,000 from last year. Silvestri said the 2016 revenue projection does not include a state gas impact fee – which would have added more than $200,000 to the revenue total – because state lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have not reached agreement on a state budget.

“We are in good shape,” he said.

Silvestri said the township will not add any more full-time employees next year but will increase the number of hours worked by part-time police officers.

Also, three department heads, Peter Overcashier at public works, police Chief Harry Fruecht and Silvestri, who has been township manager since 1981, will be retiring in 2016. There will be an overlap in positions to smooth out the transition, said Silvestri, who will step down in September. His successor has not been named.

The township fund balance also increased for the third year in a row, Silvestri said. But the number of new residential construction units was 54, the third year it declined. That decline, however, was offset by some sizable residential properties that were purchased, or are under agreement. Plus, more new residential construction is anticipated next year, he said.

According to Silvestri, the proposed budget assumes a 2016 assessed real estate value of $347.68 million, which is $5.8 million higher than last year and does not include interim taxes. That number is based on the 54 homes added last year to the township housing stock. There were nine sales of more than $1 million last year, two of which involved commercial properties, the former Colonial Modern Furniture and the Spa in the Hollow site.

Silvestri said the township is expected to spend $1.55 million on road paving in 2016. It also will replace its amphitheater at a cost of $600,000, some of which will be funded through grants. Other major expenditures next year include: $515,000 for storm sewer and water projects; $325,000 for public works vehicle replacements; $250,000 for work at the Shelter 4 playground; and $250,000 in municipal building improvements.

While not in the budget, the township also is looking at the possibility of buying a new ladder truck for the township fire department at a cost of around $900,000. That vehicle, which would have a 100-foot ladder, would replace the current ladder truck, acquired in 2000.

The township also is spending $40,000 on a swimming pool feasibility study. When Peters was gathering resident input earlier this year for its comprehensive plan for its parks and recreation department, a number of township residents said they would like to see a swimming pool built.