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DRUMS — Butler Township supervisors held the line on property taxes in a $5.2 million budget for 2019 that was approved this week.
Meanwhile, supervisors are challenging an unemployment claim made by former township manager and ex-Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla.
Supervisors acted unanimously to endorse next year’s spending plan that totals $5,232,671.
Chairman Brian Kisenwether said the board kept real estate taxes steady at about 0.95 mills, with 0.81 mills earmarked for the general fund and 0.14 mills for fire protection.
A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Another big revenue producer is a 1 percent earned income tax, half of which is shared with the Hazleton Area School District. The levy still nets Butler an estimated $1,490,000 annually.
Also this week, supervisors voted unanimously to appeal an unemployment compensation claim by Petrilla.
“We are trying to save the township money,” Supervisor Charles Altmiller said after the meeting about challenging the claim.
When asked if Petrilla left under bad circumstances, Altmiller responded: “She quit.”
Petrilla resigned in September after her second stint in the manager’s position.
Jennifer Pecora, who had been working as the township’s budget and finance manager, was hired last month to replace Petrilla.
In other business, supervisors:
• Approved the $7,900 purchase of snowplow blades.
• Approved the transfer of $484,628 from the wastewater reserve fund to the construction fund.
• Approved the transfer of $512,713 to the wastewater operating fund.
• Discontinued street light service to the Upper Lehigh section of the township.
• Approved the hiring of Hilliar Lamoreux and Theron Shelhamer as part-time seasonal employees at $16 per hour.
• Approved the appointment of Dr. Victor Greco, Brian Kisenwether, Gary Martini and Jennifer Pecora to the oversight committee of the Valley Regional Fire Department.
• Tabled quotes from Johnson Controls for replacement controls at the Butler Township Community Center.