The South Whitehall ballot includes a referendum asking voters whether the township should borrow up to $600,000 over a 5-year period for restoration and short-term maintenance of Wehr’s Dam.

Michael Baker International, the engineering firm hired by the township to inspect the dam and to provide a 5-year plan for its repair, concluded $588,500 would be needed for the restoration project.

The referendum is not a question on whether to raise taxes.

The ballot question only asks if South Whitehall should be authorized to borrow $600,000 for restoration of the structure at Covered Bridge Park.

The township could consider other means, such as reducing other spending, to repay the loan.

Any discussion concerning repayment of the loan would take place during the township’s budget process.

A brochure issued by the township provides information on the financial impact to residents if it would be decided to raise taxes to repay the $600,000 amount.

The annual tax increase for a property assessed at the township average of $281,619 would be $17 to repay the loan over a 5-year period.

The amount would vary depending upon the assessed property value and the exact terms of the loan as negotiated with a lender in the future.

Commissioners’ President Christina “Tori” Morgan said the board will wait until after the election to make any decision on plans for the dam.

“It really depends on what comes back from the voters,” Morgan said. ”From them we’ll be able to gauge our next plan of action.”

William Wehr, whose grandfather built the dam more than 100 years ago, would like voters to choose to preserve the history, memories and recreation of Wehr’s Dam for future generations.

“History matters to all of us in many ways,” Wehr said. “Historical structures are all around us, such as the Steel Stacks, Saylor Cement Kilns, King George Inn, the old one-room schoolhouse, the quarries, lime kilns, covered bridges and Wehr’s Dam.

“Vote “yes” on the Wehr’s Dam referendum on Nov. 8 and help preserve our history.”

The public needs to know a “yes” vote on the referendum will not be an automatic tax increase, Wehr said, adding grant money may be available for the project.