Lower Milford Urges Reform Of Prevailing Wage Act

Lower Milford supervisors approved a resolution calling for reform of the state Prevailing Wage Act and opposed a measure that would stop using cigarette tax revenue for land preservation.

At their April 19 meeting, the supervisors approved a resolution urging state lawmakers to enact prevailing wage reform. The act requires workers on public projects costing more than $25,000 to receive a wage set by the state secretary of Labor and Industry. The supervisors want wages set by local market rates.

“[The prevailing wage rate] will be used whenever you do municipal and public projects,” said Supervisor Donna Wright.

The Prevailing Wage Act rates are 20 to 40 percent higher than those set by local markets and push out local contractors. House Bills 1329 and 1685 would increase the threshold for the act to $185,000, allowing for adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index, according to the resolution.

Supervisors must use prevailing wage rates for public projects, park improvements or demolition. The cost of these projects, due to the prevailing wage rate, is shifted onto the taxpayer, says Supervisor William Roy.

Meanwhile, dairy farmer Peter Wisser asked the township to support the continued use of cigarette tax revenue for farmland preservation. Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2012-2013 budget proposal would channel cigarette tax revenue to the general fund -- removing it from land preservation, Wisser said.

Wright and Supervisor Mike Snovitch made a motion opposing the proposed change in the use of cigarette tax revenue. “[Gov. Corbett] wants
to take it away,” Wright said.

"I'm willing to make a motion to write to the governor," Snovitch said.

Roy, who owns 86 acres of farmland, opposed the motion. “It should come out of my pocket not some other person’s,” Roy said of the money for land preservation.

Roy said he supports Corbett's plan, citing the state's budget deficit. “I think that money needs to be where Gov. Corbett needs it,” Roy said.

will continue in June, the supervisors said after the meeting.