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At its December meeting, the South Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors approved its 2025 budget.
One section of the budget that has been a topic of discussion for several months this year is the apparatus replacement fund for Campbelltown and Lawn fire companies.
After deliberating with the South Londonderry Township Fire Board, supervisors decided to increase the fire protection tax from 0.245 mills to 1 mill. The last time the millage rate for the fire tax was increased was in December 2013, when it was raised from 0.175 mills to 0.245 mills.
The funds from the fire tax will go to a combined fund that will be accessible for both Campbelltown and Lawn fire companies when new equipment is required.
The discussion about raising the fire tax was brought up in light of the purchase of Campbelltown Fire Company’s new fire engine and the overall need to support the fire companies with equipment replacement.
The 2025 budget was passed with a 2-1 vote, with chairwoman Faith Bucks voting nay. Bucks said she supports the fire companies and has been working to better support them but has reservations about the magnitude of the increase in millage.
Similarly, supervisors approved Resolution 16-2024 for the 2025 tax schedule with a 2-1 vote, with Bucks again voting nay. Bucks noted that the general-purpose real estate tax will stay at the current rate of 1.33 mills for 2025.
The board also heard a presentation from members of the Lebanon County Kennel Club.
The kennel club donated $2,000 to go toward the South Londonderry Township Police Department K-9 unit.
In other business, supervisors granted waivers and deferments for the Deichmiller subdivision plan.
The applicant engineer, Tony Trost of Melham Associates, presented the subdivision plans for the Deichmiller property, which is located at Patrick Road East and South Forge Road. Plans for the 70-acre lot include a five-section subdivision, with each subdivided lot being larger than 10 acres.
Township engineer Frank Chlebnikow presented the waivers and deferments that were requested for the property, with waivers addressing the preliminary plan, residential access to collector roads, and street trees and deferments addressing street widening, storm drainage, soil and erosion control, and sidewalks.
The township planning commission reviewed the plans at its November meeting and recommended approval, under the condition that all of the comments from the engineer are addressed.
Given the recommendation from the planning commission, supervisors unanimously passed motions to approve the waivers, deferments, and overall plan.
In other news, township manager John Eberly’s report included the following topics:
- The new leaf collection equipment has again been delayed by the manufacturer but is expected to be delivered by August 2025. The total cost for the equipment is $460,000, with the American Rescue Plan fund covering $425,000 of the up-front cost. The township was recently awarded the Pennsylvania DEP 902 grant, totaling $428,000, which will reimburse the up-front cost of the equipment. The reimbursed funds will return to the township’s general fund.
- The Jan. 22 workshop meeting will be held at Campbelltown Fire Company due to anticipated attendance. The meeting will feature a discussion about the proposed Campbelltown Village Square project.
- Christmas tree drop-off will be available from Dec. 26 to Jan. 12 at designated locations at Lawn Fire Company and behind the highway garage at the township building.
Supervisors also unanimously passed motions to approve:
- BMP fence waiver for Weaver Ag Operation, at 1386 MTC Lane.
- Resolution 14-2024 for streetlight assessment.
- Resolution 15-2024 for the 2025 fee schedule.
- Resolution 17-2024 for the Lebanon County Treasurer’s Office tax bill increase amendment.
- Resolution 18-2024 to apply for the Marcellus Shale grant. The township requested $25,000 for playground equipment and supplies.
- New hire of a part-time administrative assistant for the South Londonderry Township Police Department.
- November meeting minutes, bill, and payroll lists 23-24 and 24-24.
The South Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the municipal building at 27 W. Market St. and are open to the public. Next month’s board and reorganizational meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 6.
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