Washington Township supervisors discussed the proposed 2020 budget and authorized the spending plan for advertisement at their Nov. 6 meeting.

The budget total is $1,886,708 with a 0.3 mill real estate tax. Major purchases are a small truck with a plow for $80,000 and two plows for $30,000.

The township will pay $21,000 less for health insurance with a change of plan.

Approval was given to destroy records from 2003-07 for real estate and earned income taxes, per capita tax, paving bids and road salt records.

There were four pages of per capita tax exonerations for people who either moved or died.

At 3086 Old Post Road near Cutoff Road, 15.2 acres of land was offered as a donation to the township.

The land was in trust to a family who are not interested in owning it.

Resident Ed Ziegler asked the board if the land was where the peach orchard had been.

He was told it was, and now it was 100 percent wooded.

The board voted to accept the donation though there are no plans for the property at this time.

Supervisor compensation, the maximum of which is set by the state for second-class townships, has been raised from $1,895 to $2,500 per year.

Star Hose Company, Emerald, received the $22,000 budgeted for the fire company.

Friedens Fire Chief Joel Merkel asked how much was budgeted for 2020.

He was told each company will receive $24,000 next year.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Mark Erklinger asked about restrictions of a child riding an ATV on his property.

Supervisor Josh Friebolin said the restriction which is in the zoning ordinance is 10 years old.

Erklinger said he has a little over an acre and if people are restricted from going within 100 feet of the boundary there is very little land left.

He asked if the ordinance could be changed.

Friebolin replied that first the comprehensive plan has to be completed and then the issue can be considered.

He said they wanted both him and his neighbors to enjoy their properties.

Erklinger asked if time could be limited.

“As far as sound in our area, it is no louder than a lawn mower,” he said.

Solicitor John Ashley said an ordinance has to be written so it is easily enforceable. It has to be the least intrusive to neighbors.

At a hearing for change, anyone can come in and give their opinions but as there is a penalty involved, it has to be open to consideration.

At the end of the ordinance will be a requirement for registration and licensing.

In order to be used on street, they have to be street licensed.

Supervisors were asked about the ATVs used to plow snow and being on the street for that purpose.

Friebolin said that is OK.

Ziegler asked what the $3,626 check for Barry Isett Associates covered.

He was told the money was for commercial and residential inspections.