At the March 9 East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors discussed the use of American Rescue Plan Act funding, in the amount of $520,938.66.

During a previous supervisors meeting, supervisor Chair Roger Unangst floated the idea of providing some form of tax cut for East Allen Township real estate taxpayers using the federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

At that time, the board asked township Solicitor Joseph Piperato III to investigate if East Allen Township could indeed provide township taxpayers with a tax rebate based on ARPA dollars. In his report March 9, Piperato said he was unable to find a definitive answer.

Unangst noted, in his mind, the ARPA dollars were to go to people affected by the pandemic, so it makes sense to him to provide tax relief to East Allen taxpayers.

Piperato added that he will continue to look into the matter, saying he wants to contact elected state and federal legislators to get an opinion from them. The board agreed to have Piperato explore the matter more fully.

The solicitor did opine at the meeting how a tax cut, if allowed by ARPA, could be equitably administered.

The Pewtrusts.org website indicates that a local municipality cannot use ARPA funds for a tax cut to taxpayers or use ARPA dollars to enrich a municipality’s pension fund. However, there is ambiguity in the ARPA program because of the interplay of the federal, state and local governments and the federal government changing ARPA money use rules.

At an earlier meeting, township Manager Brent Green mentioned the funds could be used to improve roads and streets as well as purchasing other items for the township.

In other matters, supervisors approved the appointment of the township treasurer to also occupy the role of deputy tax collector.

Resolution 2022-10 was passed by the supervisors to approve pursuing a grant in the amount of $290,000 for the joint purchase of an asphalt paver and trailer with Moore Township.

The paver and trailer, if the grant request is successful and culminates in a joint venture, would be housed at the Moore Township Municipal Building, 2491 Community Drive, Bath.

Green provided the supervisors with an overview of grants that could be pursued. One grant would be for the replacement of a pavilion at Bicentennial Park at a potential cost of $200,000.

There was a discussion about truck traffic woes caused by the sprouting of numerous warehouses in the area including East Allen Township. Like other local municipalities, East Allen is trying to develop a plan to restrict large truck traffic on its roads and small bridges.

To date, these municipalities have achieved limited success regulating large truck traffic beyond installing signage indicating weight limits and other restrictions.

The next East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting is a workshop, set for 7 p.m. March 24. The meeting is hybrid, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit eatwp.org for the call-in number and access codes to participate virtually.