UST Budget Approved to Publish; Includes NeighborFest and Concert Cuts

The Upper Saucon Board of Supervisors has approved advertisement of the 2012 budget -- the tax rate would stay the same and funding for NeighborFest and summer concerts would be eliminated -- but not without discussion of two of the

The committee recommended the township not fill two public works positions and called for funding a $40,000 study on the value of the township's water system and its possible sale.

“A study [of the water system] would be better put off,” said Vice Chairman Steve Wagner. Wagner contended the water system was important to the township's need to keep control of the level of service.

But the board approved the budgeted amount for the study, reasoning that further action can be taken by the new board. Supervisors John Gilda and Joseph Horvath supported the study.

“That is basic information we need to have,” said Gilda.

Supervisors-elect Patrick Leonard and Dennis Benner were at the meeting and had differing opinions on the subject.

“There's not enough due diligence,” Benner said of selling the water system.

“It's worth taking a look,” Leonard said of the water system study.

Leonard has lived in the township for several years and has served on the Zoning Hearing Board as an alternate, the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission. Leonard and Benner will begin their terms in January.

The board removed funding for NeighborFest, suggesting alternate sources such as corporate donations be found. Also removed was funding for the Summer Concert Series for a savings of about $5,000.

“It didn't really attract that many people,” Wagner said. “We could support it, just not financially.” 

The presentation, along with the 2012 budget, is expected to be available on the Upper Saucon website on Wednesday.

The budget contains no tax increases, keeping the real estate tax at 4.2 mills.

The final vote for the budget is scheduled for Dec. 19.