The proposed budget for Eldred Township shows no new tax increases. The supervisors will vote on the budget at their meeting on Dec. 15. The budget can be viewed in the township office.

James Phillips, the township treasurer, said the millage rate will remain the same. Much of the budget also remained pretty much the same, with the largest increases being in salaries and benefits.

“The township hired two new public works employees this year,” Phillips said. The township now has five full-time employees.

Phillips said the major difference between this budget and those in recent years is the funds the township received through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The township received $150,000 this year and will receive another $150,000 next year.

“That has definitely helped,” he said.

Phillips anticipates that the money will be used for capital improvement projects, such as possibly a new roof on the municipal building.

At the supervisors meeting, the supervisors approved advertising an amendment to a zoning ordinance concerning heat pumps. The amendment would make ground source heat pumps a conditional permitted residential use in Well-Head Protection Areas 2 and 3. Public comment on the amendment will be heard at the December meeting.

The supervisors also approved making a donation of $355.63 to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Cherry Valley.

This amount is Eldred Township’s share of the contribution as a member of CJERP Regional Planning Committee, explained Robert Boileau, the chairman of the Eldred Township Planning Commission. The total contribution from CJERP is $5,000.

“They’ve been very successful,” Supervisors’ Chairman Gary Hoffman said about the work the wildlife rehabilitation center does for wild animals.

In other business, the township has a vacancy on the Planning Commission. Anyone interested in getting involved with the township should contact the municipal office.