Allen Township Board of Supervisors introduced the proposed $2.1 million budget for 2018 at its Nov. 9 meeting. This would mark the 13th consecutive year that real estate taxes were not increased. While some changes to the proposed budget may occur before the spending plan is adopted in December, the property tax will be retained at five mills.

The budget notes $1.9 million in revenue and $2.1 million in expenditures, along with a sound starting balance.

Unlike neighboring Lehigh Township and the Borough of Northampton, which have full-time police departments that add significantly to their budgets, Allen Township does not have a force, nor has there been talk currently of implementing one. State police provide coverage for the township.

The big-ticket items in the proposed budget include a projected $250,000 for a street sweeper and $80,000 for a lift truck.

The budget includes funding for road improvements, stormwater remediation, waterline projects and a matching grant for pedestrian-safety and traffic-calming devices for Willowbrook, Atlas and Savage roads.

When the final proposed budget comes before the supervisors, headed by Chairman Larry Oberly, there may be figures added to account for long-range planning, especially the big box warehouse development descending on the township.

In a partnership with Northampton County, Allen Township has created a successful dog park. It could now seek a $70,000 match to upgrade the park and apply for a grant to develop a passive park along the Lehigh River in 2018.