No Tax Increase Proposed for 2013 Budget

The proposed 2013 budget for Peters Township has no increase in real estate or earned income taxes.

However, property owners will see a slight jump in their garbage/recycing bills. The fee will go from $46.50 per quarter to $51.00. The fee has been unchanged for the past five years.

The proposal maintains the real estate tax at the current level of 13 mills, with each mill generating $327,690. The earned income tax is also planned to remain the same at 1 percent.

The 2013 budget includes the first ever gas well impact fee from the state, which will total $259,000 for Peters Township. The money is planned to be spent on road paving.

A total of $1 million is budgeted for road paving in 2013.

The most expensive project in the proposal is $1.015 million for a Sugar Camp Bridge replacement, although township Manager Michael Silvestri said it might not happen if the township doesn't receive a grant they applied for.

Another large purchase budgeted is for a $440,000 fire engine. There is a study under way to determine if the Peters Township and North Strabane fire departments should merge. If the fire services do combine, Silvestri said the purchase may not be necessary.

A public hearing on the budget proposal is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the municipal building.