North Whitehall Township Manager Jeff Bartlett recently gave supervisors and the audience a summary of the proposed budget for 2018.

The budget workshop was attended by only two residents who offered comments.

Bartlett noted that for seven years in a row, no tax increase has been warranted.

There is a possibility of having an $86,000 surplus next year.

Operating expenses are similar to those in 2017, but he noted, insurance costs are rising.

Insurance rates for the township will increase but not as much as in the private sector.

The township belongs to an insurance co-op which can give better rates to municipalities.

An increase in the allotment to the fire companies and the ambulance service is projected.

The board expects to increase the emergency services share by 2.5 percent.

The one new item in the budget concerns the MS4 program mandated by the state.

This program concerns stormwater remediation by reducing the influx of sediment into the rivers and streams.

This is a 5-year program in which $75,000 has been set aside in the budget.

One of the loans the township has taken out will be retired in 2017. Another one could possibly be done the following year.

This will free up $78,000 that will be available for township projects.

There will be no increase in the sewer rate or the streetlight rate.

The liquid fuels money received from the state will show an increase.

For 2017, $630,000 was received. The 2018 payment will be $678,000.

Money will be available in the Emergency Services Long-Term Capital Fund.

This fund finances emergency services when new equipment is necessary.

The machinery fund will also be stable.

Equipment needed by the township, either lease/purchase or outright purchase, will be paid out of this fund.

Some of the purchased equipment might be paid off next year.

The board is considering obtaining a new wheel loader, a small dump truck and a new pickup truck.

Supervisor Mark Hills made a motion to add to the budget the replacement of the AED machines.

Five would be needed - one for the township building and one at each of the fire companies.

The cost would be approximately $10,000.

Supervisors agreed to this and the budget was tentatively approved.

Solicitor Lisa Young gave the board copies of the proposed bamboo ordinance for their perusal.

The ordinance is expected to be on the agenda next month.

Gene Wolfgang asked how the rezoning in the lower part of the township was progressing. Bartlett said the planning commission was still working on the project.

Sherry Beitler of Manor Road told the board a drainage pipe near her property was causing water to flow onto her property.

Bartlett told her the pipe in question was placed there by the developer.

Any problem would be a matter between her and her neighbor as it is off the road right of way.

Bartlett will have someone investigate the problem.

Beitler was also concerned about the cracks in the road and the depression where the township had replaced a pipe.

The drainage situation along Shady Lane resurfaced.

Jennifer Linchuk requested assistance from the township to alleviate the problem.

Supervisor Steve Pany reiterated his position from last month saying the township could supply the material but no labor.

The property owner needs to do the work.

In Pany’s opinion, this is a private matter.

William Ryan of Penn Hill Drive, wanted to know the status of the travel trailer located next to his property.

The owner could not move the trailer to the rear of the property where it is to be placed according to the ordinance.

The trailer is currently at the side of the building.

Bartlett said he talked to the property owner and he (the owner) might go before the zoning hearing board for a variance.

If he fails to do so, the township will prosecute.

Secretary Brenda Norder said the township office would be closed on Nov. 23 and 24 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The leaf and mulch area will also be closed.

A request to withdraw a plan and have the escrow refunded was placed before the board. The Dunkin’ Donuts plan was withdrawn.

Supervisors voted to allow withdrawal of the plan and refund the escrow money.

A request was made for a waiver on the well isolation distance.

The property owner for 5828 Harvest Drive was asking for a 30-foot setback instead of 50 feet.

The setback waiver requested was setback from the infiltration bed.

Surface water flows in the area and it was thought the well water could be contaminated if the well was placed in this area.

Supervisors voted to grant the waiver.