The West Penn board of supervisors adopted its 2022 budget during Monday night’s meeting.

The balanced budget of $2,040,531 has been advertised with no issues, and comes with no tax increase, as real estate tax is set once again at 4.50 mills.

“We’re very proud to say that the real estate tax millage will be the same as it was last year,” added Tony Prudenti, board chairman.

Police updates

West Penn Police Chief Jim Bonner has been busy since he took the helm of the department and supervisors praised his progress since he was appointed chief.

More help is on the way, as supervisors approved the hiring of full-time officer Kai Apel on Monday night.

Apel was a part-time officer. His hiring is retroactive to Dec. 1.

The board also approved American Rescue Plan funds to be allocated for the department to purchase computers and to lease bodycams with “teleworking capabilities.”

Bonner provided a follow-up regarding a situation which took place a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday.

On Nov. 17, police were called regarding alleged gunshots coming from a car at about 7 p.m. near the Carbon County line.

The following day, Bonner said the car was “backfiring” and the caller thought the sounds were gunshots.

“It was handled by the department. We quickly determined what the cause was and we took the appropriate action,” Bonner added.

However, Bonner said that the driver of the “backfiring” car did indeed have possession of a firearm in the vehicle.

“We did seize the firearm and we did examine it,” Bonner said. We determined that it had not been fired. He was a licensed carrier - it was legally owned and possessed.”

In other news, DAT Emergency Services LLC donated a dog kennel to the department.

Other business

• The township extended a public thanks to the Tamaqua Area School District, which donated $250 to West Penn Township Emergency Services through fundraisers.

• The next township meeting is set for Dec. 15 at 10 a.m.

• The township will hold its 2022 reorganization meeting on Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m. with its regularly scheduled meeting to follow.