Rob Moyer, Salisbury Township IT Specialist since January, is being lauded for improving township government protocols and security.

Salisbury Township department administrators are making 2023 township budget presentations to the township board of commissioners.

The goal, outlined at the Sept. 22 meeting by board of commissioners President Deb Brinton, is for the budget to be voted on at the Dec. 8 township meeting. If the goal is met, it could preclude the need for a Dec. 22 meeting.

Copies of the 2023 proposed budget were distributed at the Sept. 22 meeting to commissioners and department heads by Salisbury Township Director of Finance Paul Ziegenfus.

Ziegenfus said the township is in good financial shape. “It looks like we’re going to end the year very positively,” Ziegenfus said.

“There’s no tax increase anticipated,” Ziegenfus said.

Water and sewer rates might increase, Ziegenfus said.

Upcoming 2023 budget presentations at township meeting workshops are expected for public works, police and fire.

During the commissioners’ meeting workshop, before his presentation for IT for the 2023 budget, Moyer was praised by township officials.

“He’s already improved and helped facilitate things,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said of Moyer.

“I don’t know how many years we’ve been without him,” Police Sgt. Donald Sabo said.

Moyer said one of the priorities is to protect the township computer system from hackers and malware.

“I just want to make sure we’re as protected as much as we can be,” Moyer said.

The other topic discussed during the Sept. 22 township workshop was “police shooting range plans.”

Township Commissioner Alex Karol said the shooting range would be more accurately called a “police training facility.”

Salisbury Township Chief of Police Kevin Soberick agreed, saying that on training days, approximately 15 minutes would comprise the firing of weapons.

K-9 training could take place there.

“It’s now considered at Franko behind the drop-off,” Bonaskiewich said.

“It’s definitely a better place,” Soberick said.

Training would not take place when the Franko recycling area is in use.

The Franko police facility is to be discussed at an upcoming township workshop.

The proposed police facility is expected to be reviewed by the township planning commission.

The facility is not expected to need to be reviewed by the township zoning hearing board. The municipal use is apparently permitted.

During the discussion portion of the meeting, township Commissioner Alok Patnaik recommended the township use of the term policeman should be changed to patrol officer.

“That’s a good point,” Brinton said.

“I will change it to police officer,” Bonaskiewich said.

“That’s fine,” Soberick said.

Salisbury Township Director of Public Works Jim Levernier said branch collection is to begin the week of Oct. 2.

Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Trustee Jerry Royer briefed officials on the Swain Station project.

“The USDA loan is going well,” Royer said.

“One of the things we have to do is an environmental study,” Royer said.

“The truck housing is OK. I think we have that,” Royer said.

In other business at the Sept. 22 meeting, commissioners voted 4-0, with one commissioner absent, to approve:

-An ordinance updating police ranks

-A resolution for selling township public works equipment

-A motion certifying the 2023 Minimum Municipal Obligation for police and nonuniformed defined benefit pension plans.

An executive session was held after the workshop to discuss real estate, Brinton announced.

The Salisbury Township Planning Commission meets 7 p.m. Sept. 28 in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

The agenda includes:

Review of the preliminary-final land development project for 1525 E. Susquehanna St., submitted by Erika Perez-Lopez, to convert an existing structure into a hair salon with additional parking.

The Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board Oct. 12 meeting is canceled.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners meets 7 p.m. Oct. 13 in the municipal building.