No public comment made at 'state of township' address

September 27, 2007|By JENNIFER FITCH

WAYNESBORO, PA. - Silence prevailed during the public comment portion of Wednesday's town meeting held in Washington Township, Pa.

No one offered remarks or questions following Township Manager Mike Christopher's annual "state of the township address" and accompanying presentations by other municipal leaders.

Christopher reported that:

· Property transfers are down 10 percent this year compared to 2006, which was a record year for the township. Slightly fewer than 350 properties changed ownership in January through August.

· The collection of earned income taxes has set records, with a 6.76 percent increase over last year. The Wage Tax Bureau had provided the township with $998,261 by the end of August.

· Impact fees, which are assessed on certain new construction, have fallen short of projections. The fees are being used to build Washington Township Boulevard, a $14.3 million relief route planned north of Waynesboro. The township collected $77,677 through August, which is 32 percent of the budgeted amount.

"Impact fees are off significantly from where they should be, but that's a function of the construction not being what people thought it would be," Christopher said.

· Design work has been completed for Washington Township Boulevard from Gehr Road to Pa. 316.

· The township joined a health insurance trust and received a $25,000 rebate in 2006.

Supervisor Carroll Sturm said the state of the township report will be posted on the township's Web site at www.washtwp-franklin.org.

The township is again working with volunteers to plan the fourth annual family-oriented Halloween party at Red Run Park. The event with hayrides and Red Run Express train rides has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27.

A parade kicks off the festivities at 5:30 p.m., while the free rides will be given from 6 to 8 p.m.

The park also has been selected to feature a Christmas tree this year. The supervisors and staff are developing a plan to decorate a tree, likely one on the water's edge.

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