At the Dec. 3 Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors announced the final 2025 township budget will be voted on at a special meeting, set for noon Dec. 27. The budget includes a two-mill tax hike.

This increase represents a tax hike of about $9 a month for a property assessed at $50,000. One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

After the meeting, township Manager Stephen Nowroski explained the township has been frugal in its handling of tax dollars. Nowroski noted escalating costs for fuel, asphalt, vehicle maintenance, insurance and utilities have created a situation in which the current revenue is insufficient to sustain the township services and progress.

He added the municipal building is aging and ongoing maintenance costs are growing. The supervisors are entertaining a solution to the aging building that includes either a major renovation of the building or a demolition of the building followed by the construction of a new township government center.

In the Moore Township Police Department report, Chief Gary West said there were 281 incidents during November that culminated in four arrests. The November arrests were two for driving under the influence, one assault and one protection-from-abuse violation.

Jason Harhart provided the fire department and ambulance reports for November. There were 35 fire calls that included seven fires. Ambulance calls for November were 83.

In his public works department report, Craig Hoffman said there were normal operations of the department in November, they were “wrapping up things at the park” and leaf collection is over in the township.

Township Engineer Kevin Horvath reported on two issues, a traffic safety consideration at Delps and North Mink roads and a stormwater management ordinance provision related to an existing pond issue.

The traffic safety issue may require a $2,500 cost for a traffic study. A reduction in the speed limit at the Delps and North Mink roads intersection, with an advance warning sign near the interaction, is a possibility.

Since there were no accidents at that intersection, it was suggested the property owner trim back his bushes on his property to increase vehicle traffic vision at the intersection and monitor the situation.

The pond issue refers to a resident’s pond that spills over onto a township road during heavy rain. The pond reportedly has no overflow mechanism. Township Solicitor David Backenstoe said the situation may be a nuisance and in violation of the township ordinance prohibiting the obstruction of a public road.

The board accepted the resignation of Chris Noll as township sewage enforcement officer. He was thanked for his many years in the role. The board appointed Ian Stout to fill the position.

Nowroski presented a grant opportunity for the township in the state Green Light Go program. The grant request would be in the amount of $100,000 and requires a 20% match — $20,000 — from the township. The funds would be used to upgrade the traffic light at Routes 946 and 512, which is the only traffic light in Moore Township. If successful, the grant funding would be awarded in May 2025.

The next Moore Township Board of Supervisors regular business meeting is 6 p.m. Jan. 6, 2025, at the township municipal building, 2491 Community Drive. Visit mooretownship.org for an agenda for the meeting.