TimesLeader.com

Kingston Twp. holds tax line

The township will give more money next year to several area organizations.

REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com

KINGSTON TWP. – Municipal taxes in the township will not go up next year, according to the 2010 budget.

The first reading of the township’s 2010 budget occurred Wednesday evening during the board of supervisors meeting. The budget calls for no increase in the 0.0003824 millage rate.

In the preface to the budget, township manager Kathleen Sebastian wrote that she predicts the township will exceed its 2009 budgeted earned income tax revenues, which will increase contributions to emergency services, the Back Mountain Memorial Library and the Luzerne County SPCA in 2010.

Contributions to the Shavertown and Trucksville volunteer fire departments for 2010 have gone up $1,000 each to $23,100 and $16,800, respectively. In addition, $16,800 in the new budget has been allotted to ambulance operations.

The Back Mountain Memorial Library will receive $4,500 and the Luzerne County SPCA will be given $2,500. Both charities will obtain $500 more from the township than in 2009.

According to Sebastian, a second reading of the 2010 budget will be held at the December regular supervisors meeting. If approved, the budget will go into effect 30 days following the meeting.

Richard Harrison, of Staub Road, questioned the donation to the Luzerne County SPCA.

“Are you going to keep giving this for the next 10 years or what?” Harrison asked.

Supervisor Chairman Jeffrey Box said the township has been donating to the Luzerne County SPCA for many years and that it used to contribute more money.

In a separate matter, a public meeting will be held during the Dec. 9 regular supervisors meeting regarding a proposed ordinance that would ban smoking at the Center Street Park.

The Dallas Township supervisors passed an ordinance in early August that bans smoking in the township’s public parks and playgrounds. Dallas Borough Council passed an ordinance in August 2008 prohibiting smoking and tobacco use in Tots Lot (Bicentennial Park) and the Kenneth Young Memorial Park.

In another matter, township police Sgt. Michael Moravec has been appointed the interim Acting Chief of Police while Chief James Balavage recovers from heart surgery.