The Schuylkill Township Supervisors want to stop an anticipated tax increase, but keep their police force.

So on Nov. 21, the supervisors voted 2-1 to advertise a tentative budget that will include 10 hours of police protection, but avoid a property tax increase.

The supervisors had before them two proposed budgets: one with 30 hours of police protection, but with a 3.5-mill property tax increase – the first increase in township property taxes since 2008.

The other budget had no tax increase, but no police coverage. It was that budget that was supported by Supervisor Gary Feathers.

Supervisor Charles Fayash proposed putting 10 hours into the budget for police, and trying to find places in the budget from which money could be moved, or if the township could obtain a grant.

Fayash was hesitant about disbanding the police force and allowing state police to cover the township. Tthe township has had a hard time finding new officers to hire for its part-time department that is on duty a total of 40 hours per week.

Supervisor Mike Boyle also was concerned about losing the township department completely, so he voted with Fayash to approve the budget with no tax increase and 10 hours for the department, until more funding can be identified.

Another reason to keep the police department is because officers also do township code enforcement. This would have fallen to Mark Buccieri, the township’s road foreman, who himself is shorthanded because a part-time worker resigned has not yet been replaced.

The final budget will be voted on Dec. 18.

The supervisors did vote to abandon a police coverage contract they had with neighboring Middleport Borough.

The supervisors also voted to issue a temporary burning ban in the township due to extremely conditions.

And the supervisors voted to raise the basic zoning permit fee from $10 to $50 to cover costs.