East Franklin Passes $1 Million Budget

East Franklin Township Supervisor David Stewart (left) and Vice-Chairman Doug Flanders approved a $1 million budget with no tax increase during last night's regular meeting. The meeting served as the last one for Chairman Doug Flanders, who lost his bid for re-election in the November General Election to Republican Dan Goldinger. Flanders had been a supervisor for 7 years.

by Jonathan Weaver

East Franklin Township residents will not see a tax increase in 2012 after township supervisors unanimously approved their 2012 budget last night.

During their regular monthly meeting, Vice-Chairman Doug Flanders and Supervisor David Stewart

Chairman Barry Peters was absent from the meeting due to health reasons.

The nearly $1.1 million budget does not call for a tax millage increase. Through 2011, one mill generated nearly $77,000 of income.

The tax rate is six mills.

Flanders said the final budget includes $15,000 set aside for a new salt hopper if supervisors desire

“We have three of them, all of significant age, and I think it would be wise to incrementally replace these things so you don’t get saddled with multiple spreader problems,” Flanders said.

This was the last regular meeting for Flanders as he was defeated in his race for re-election in the November General Election by Republican Dan Goldinger by more than 160 votes.

He thanked some of the township staff for their support during the meeting.

“I did my best for ya,” Flanders said.

He said the township’s biggest success during his seven years as a supervisor included working agreements toward the area’s sewer separation project. Three plants – in Adrian, Cowansville and Tarrtown, as well as pump stations throughout the township – have remained operational for months and supervisors are working on further agreements to cover more residents.

“It was building toward the future,” Flanders said. “It can lead to nothing but positive improvements.”

Supervisors also learned that a proposed salt storage building – drawn by Axis Architecture of North Huntingdon – planned to be built beside the township’s new municipal building, is to go out for bid next month.

Township road crew workers will receive 498 tons of ashes to add to their allotment for this winter’s weather and a combined 260 tons of salt and anti-skid.

Meetings next year will remain on the fourth Thursday of each month and will begin at 7PM.

West Kittanning Residents Push for Full-time Police

Approximately 16 concerned residents - including Jeanne Englert, who is speaking here - came before West Kittanning Borough Council last night to hear updated comments regarding a full-time police contract with Kittanning Borough Police Department. Council confirmed talks are forthcoming with Kittanning Borough and East Franklin Township.

by Jonathan Weaver

It’s only been four weeks, but West Kittanning is urging Council to sign a contract with Kittanning for full-time coverage.

Jeanne Englert of Bluff Street spoke on behalf of the voters who voted for Council to consider full-time police protection from Kittanning Borough.  Approximately 250 voters – or 65 percent of the population – in West Kittanning Borough voted to mandate expanded police coverage in the November General Election.

“We don’t feel that we are protected safely or enough having just two part-time police officers,” Englert said. “With Kittanning, they would be patrolling up here at least once a shift, if not more.”

She asked Council to form a committee of both borough residents and council members and discuss the safety issues before consulting about a possible agreement with Kittanning Borough Council and Police Department.

“Those that voted voted for you people to at least look into it,” Englert said.

At previous meetings and yesterday, council members said the contracted police coverage would cost an estimated $45,000, which is $5,000 more than what borough taxpayers pay for service now. Council said that would be an estimated two mills of tax.

One mill generates $19,945.

“We can’t continue to pay part time police officers that are working 60 out of 160 working hours in a week $5,000 less than we would pay for a full-time police force from Kittanning Borough. The revenue that would be incurred by that would more-than-cover what would be spent, Englert said.

“You wouldn’t have to raise it one – you’d barely have to raise it a quarter, which actually, you wouldn’t have to raise it at all,” Englert said. “If you won’t consider this, we have to think that you’re not concerned for the residents’ safety.”

The comment drew concern from council members.

During an executive session, Englert clarified her statement.

“I didn’t mean they didn’t care about their kids – the point is you have to take into consideration every person that lives within this municipality, not just your family,” Englert said.

Carol Augustine of Cleveland Street supported Englert and clarified that monetary fines that occur during Kittanning Borough’s patrol would stay within West Kittanning.

“Jeanne said that when the State Police come in, they can’t enforce our ordinances – that is true. But if they contract with Kittanning Borough, Kittanning Borough under contract can and will enforce West Kittanning ordinances and the fines stay in West Kittanning – they get their $45,000 and that’s it,” Augustine said.

Council President Cliff Neal confirmed that the Police Committee has met and made points to discuss with Kittanning Borough Council and is playing ‘phone tag’ with Kittanning Borough Mayor Kirk Atwood about a meeting date.

“We are not sitting on our hands; we are pursuing this matter with Kittanning Borough,” Neal said.

Neal said West Kittanning will also speak with the East Franklin Township supervisors regarding a possible contract with their police force.