In a relatively short meeting Aug. 9, East Allen Township Board of Supervisors got an update on the 2017 budget as members prepared to begin discussion on the 2018 budget.

“So far, we have collected about 80 percent of revenues and have paid 70 percent of our expenses,” township Supervisor Deborah Seiple said.

Seiple listed expenses that are known but not paid. It is the township’s policy that surplus revenues for any given year are put into the capital budget.

Although budgets for 2018 are still preliminary, Seiple indicated capital projects worth an estimated $10 million are under review.

The township did ask for and get $4,000 for a fireproof safe. There was a discussion on the urgency of the need. Borough Secretary/Treasurer Rose Wedde indicated the township has two three-drawer cabinets now, but they are full, and some items that should be stored in a fireproof safe cannot be accommodated. The details on the $4,000-plus cost for the cabinet were not presented.

East Allen is not going to distribute free recycling containers. Normally, the containers are provided to residents free via a state grant. The grant funding dried up, and the township needs to come up with $2,000 to purchase new bins.

When one wears out, residents come in and ask for a new one. We no longer have any available,” Seiple said.

The suggestion made to the township was to have trash haulers provide the containers. Chairman Roger Unangst is against making mandatory that trash haulers provide recycling bins.

“Some of them provide the bins and others don’t. We should not get involved,” he said. “If someone wants a recycling bin provided, they can go with one of the trash haulers that provide it.”

Supervisor Robert Mills expressed his dismay at the decision, fearing that residents will not recycle if they do not have a free container.

Townships with less than 5,000 residents are not required to have a mandatory recycling program. The decision might be different after the 2020 census.

Also at the meeting, supervisors agreed to review an ordinance that requires reimbursement for emergency services. The ordinance is aimed at nonresidents who require services in the township.

“We have too many instances where we provide emergency services and are unable to get reimbursed,” Supervisor Mark Schwartz said.

He pointed to situations where the problem has the potential to increase.

“We are going to have more trucks going down Route 329 and more activity in general. The ordinance allows us to bill insurance companies for our costs,” he said.

Residents who pay taxes are exempt from the cost; there is a fee in the real estate tax bill covering emergency services.

Supervisors gave the go-ahead for repairs on Dogwood Road. The culvert needed to bridge the damaged span might be in stock, and the project should be completed before school starts.