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JACKSON TOWNSHIP

Supervisors approve per capita fee to BMCP group

By EILEEN GODIN Dallas Post Correspondent

Supervisors voted to approve a 50 cent per capita fee, authorized a property acquisition and heard an update on the Heritage Hills development legal case at their regular monthly meeting Monday night.

A 50 cent per capita fee for this year’s membership to the Back Mountain Community Partnership was unanimously approved. Based on the 2000 census, the township has a population of 4,453 residents.

Attorney Jeffery Malak said the fee is required “per the articles of agreement.” Supervisor David Roskos asked if the other six participating municipalities are paying the fee and Malak said many will pay using the same calculation while others will pay a similar fee.

Supervisor Al Fox said the money will go toward the purchase of office materials and listing of legal ads. He said the minimal fee will be “budgeted out of tax dollars but will not be a cause of a tax increase.”

The end is in sight for troubles surrounding the Heritage Hills development project. Malak reported he has been corresponding with Attorney Mark McNealis, new legal representation for developer John Pieczynski of Heritage Hills Est. Inc. and said progress is being made. A hearing is planned for November 9, but Malak will reschedule it due to a conflict in his schedule.

Looking for room to expand the township’s recycling program, supervisors authorized Malak to begin the paperwork for acquisition of a parcel of land next to the municipal building near Chase Corners.

In other news …

• Supervisors voted to issue two applications for Casino Gaming Grants for a new fire truck and for police vehicles and police station improvements.

• Chairman John J. Wilkes Jr. said last year supervisors applied for the fire truck and were denied but will try again. The grant deadline is mid-December.

• The next supervisors meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, in the municipal building.