Union Twp. supervisors raise pay for board members for first time in decades

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The Union Township Board of Supervisors voted at the June 11 meeting to increase supervisor pay from $1,875 to $3,145 per year. The raise will go into effect at the start of each seat’s new term.

Solicitor Paul Bametzreider advertised the ordinance after supervisor approval at last month’s meeting. He said the increase aligns with state standards, and supervisors haven’t received a raise since 1997.

Read More: Union Township considers increase of supervisor pay for first time since 1997

Union has around 2,900 residents. Townships with 4,999 residents or fewer fall into the smallest category defined by the state law.

“I think it’s reasonable, I think it’s fair. These guys are always involved,” township manager Brent McFeaters said after the meeting. “I think it’s a long time coming.”

Supervisors currently sitting on the board will not receive the raise unless they are reelected to their positions. 

The next seat up for reelection is supervisor Dennis Firestone’s. Firestone is not running for reelection.

Republican Stephen Lum won last month’s Republican primary, and there was no Democratic candidate on the other party’s ticket.

In other business, supervisors: 

• Voted to approve three time extensions for projects throughout the township. These include the 19 Huckleberry Road stormwater management plan, the 25 Church Road minor subdivision plan, and the BL Companies preliminary final subdivision/land development plan.
• Approved the 21 Goldmine Road preliminary/final subdivision plan contingent on a completed easement agreement.
• Authorized the solicitor to advertise a public hearing for a stormwater ordinance. Bametzreider said the hearing will take place at the next meeting on July 9.
• Authorized the solicitor to file suits against the handful of On-Lot Sewage Disposal System violators. The township started the year with about 50 noncompliant parties, Bametzreider said, and these individuals have gotten multiple notices from the county and the solicitor prior to this action being taken.

Union Township Board of Supervisors will have its next regular monthly meeting at 3111 PA-72 on July 9 after the 6:30 p.m. sewer meeting.