Property taxes will not rise in Schuylkill Township if a tentative budget is approved next month.

Monday night, the supervisors voted unanimously to advertise a 2023 spending plan that calls for the same 10.88 property tax millage as 2022.

The $482,500 spending plan has expenditures of $481,160 listed, and is slightly lower than the $483,800 budget and $483,272 in expenditures in 2022.

One of the reasons the new spending plan is a little less is an anticipated increase in the township’s liquid fuels allocation from the state. The township received $60,352.70 in 2022, and is expected to receive an estimated $60,857.29 in 2023.

The final budget is scheduled for adoption at the township’s next regular meeting Dec. 5.

No more ESRC

Schuylkill Township is no longer a member of the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission (ESRC).

After a plea from Executive Director Nate MacDonald, the supervisors again voted unanimously to spend the $1,000 dedicated to commission membership to the township playground.

At their October meeting, the supervisors voted to leave the commission because the membership fee was going up to $1,200 for the year.

MacDonald said other municipalities had rejected the increase, so the commission was going to go back to the $1,000 membership.

“I would like to do three events before the end of the year - a 5K run on the 209 trail; Christmas movies for the kids, and a winter dance,” MacDonald said. “I’d like to meet with you and get your thoughts about what you would like to see happen. In 2023, if there are not at least four events in the township, I will personally write out a check for $1,000 to Schuylkill Township.”

But Supervisor Gary Feathers asked what the commission has done in the last six years. MacDonald replied he’s only been there for three, and said there has been some miscommunication because the township’s representative has not been attending commission meetings.

Plate reader, grant writer

The supervisors voted unanimously to purchase a license plate reader for the township’s police vehicle at a cost of $16,225. Police Chief Frank DiMarco said there is $16,929.82 left in the Morgan Foundation grant the township department received.

Feathers was concerned that three price quotes had to be obtained because the expenditure was more than $13,000, but solicitor Joseph Baranko said because the purchase was being made with grant funds, it did not require three quotes.

The supervisors also voted to advertise to hire a grant writer for the township.

“There are a lot of grants out there for roads, equipment and recreation,” Feathers said. “Other townships have their own grant writer.”