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North Annville Township supervisors revealed on Monday at their monthly meeting their tentative 2025 budget, which is projected to end that calendar year with a balance of over $1.845 million.
The projected budget is expected to obtain a surplus of $852,568.99, according to public documents provided to LebTown and meeting attendees, up from $1,756,500 million at the end of 2024.
Township treasurer Adam D. Wolfe said North Annville is the only municipality in Lebanon County that does not have a millage rate, meaning the township’s budget is set primarily via earned income and real estate transfer taxes.
Wolfe told the public at the meeting that the budget is open to public comment with township officials for 30 days. The preliminary budget is expected to be approved at the next monthly meeting on Dec. 9.
The largest projected disbursements in 2025 are for contributions to fire ($139,650) and contracted police ($98,500) services, the latter with Cleona Borough, highway maintenance ($90,000), township solicitor ($50,000) and engineering fees ($30,000).
Discussion during public comment included a request to transfer $100,000 from the general fund budget to the fire fund line item since a new fire truck totaling more than $1 million is expected to be purchased once the township’s two fire companies officially merge on Jan. 1.
Read More: Bellegrove, Union Water Works fire companies move toward merger
Wolfe said during the meeting that, before transferring the funds, supervisors had hoped to see a fire company vehicle bid.
Supervisors will have the opportunity to transfer those funds prior to setting the budget at their December session, if a majority decides to make that financial move, Wolfe told LebTown after Monday’s meeting.
It was stated during the emergency services report that the merger is moving toward completion between Bellgrove and Union Water Works fire companies, who will become the North Annville Fire Company on Jan. 1.
As part of the fire company report, supervisors unanimously accepted two Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development local share assessment grants, which are designed to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians in their communities. Union Water Works Fire Company received a $475,000 grant while Bellegrove Fire Company was awarded $25,000.
Wolfe noted that the grant applications required separate fire company names even though these funds will be utilized by the merged companies in the coming year.
During the fire report, it was stated that Bellegrove responded to 22 calls in October. Union Water Works officials did not provide a monthly report.
Cleona Borough police chief Jeffrey Farneski said his department responded to 73 calls in October. He noted two highway details on township roads led to 20 citations being issued. His department issued another 28 citations and responded to 16 motor vehicle accidents during October.
He noted that patrols on Clear Spring Road continue, adding that most of the stops the department has made are for one company’s trucks headed to the Hershey’s plant in South Annville Township.
Read More: N. Annville Twp. supervisors pass two ordinances for Clear Spring Road
Read More: Charges over new N. Annville Twp. ordinance filed one day, dropped the next
Supervisors in August approved a truck trailer size limit ban on Clear Spring Road no greater than 43 feet. Farenski said he’s trying to resolve the issue of trucks using that two-mile stretch of township roadway without coming down too hard on the truck drivers.
In another matter, township solicitor Paul Bametzreider provided an update on Lebanon Solar I’s proposal for a project in North Annville.
He noted that the solar company had sent a reply brief and he had responded with a counter reply brief, adding that “the briefing of the matter is done.” He said the township awaits Commonwealth Court to issue an argument date, which should occur in 2025.
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In other township business, supervisors:
- Moved to approve North Annville Fire Company’s box cards.
- Agreed to express preliminary interest in having Verizon provide information concerning a cable franchise agreement in the township.
- Voted to extend the MS 4 Notice of Intent agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection.
- Decided to renew the Lebanon County Humane Society stray animal housing agreement. Municipalities pay $50 per dog that’s housed at the shelter. It was noted that the township had two dogs housed in 2024 at a cost of $100. The contract renewal is from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025. The agreement does not cover stray cats.
- Read and voted to approve payment of bills for October.
- Received the road, planning commission and zoning heard board reports. It was stated the planning commission is considering a new fence ordinance for the township.
- Approved the minutes of their Oct. 14 meeting and treasurer’s report as of the same date.
North Annville Township supervisors meet the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Union Water Works Fire Company social hall at 2875 Union Waterworks Way, Annville.
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