Polk Township supervisors are working on a fire tax that will go into effect next year.

Mike Hurley, vice chairman of the supervisors, said they are working on how much the tax would be. That hasn’t been settled on yet.

“It will be enough for the fire department to get money, but not too much on the residents,” he said.

Hurley said the township has always given a donation to the Polk Township Fire Department, but it needs to buy a new firetruck, and that could cost upward of $2 million. The donation given by the township just isn’t going to help enough with that cost, he said.

In the area of land development, the supervisors gave conditional approval for a housing development off Polk Township Road.

Hamlet Estates will be a development of 10 single-family houses in the lot at the corner of Polk Township and H.T.Y. Road. Each house will sit on a 1-acre lot, Hurley said.

After the developer gets an approval from the Monroe County Conservation District and meets all other requirements, it can proceed with building the infrastructure, which includes excavating and construction of roads.

The supervisors also approved the Larue High subdivision plan, which Hurley explained involves a large tract of land of three lots. It is basically realigning the property lines, cleaning up old deeds and bringing it all into compliance, he said.

And the supervisors approved changing the zoning of a parcel of land adjacent to Gold Coast Penn LLC, a spice company in Gilbert. Hurley said the property is about 2 acres and was zoned R-3, but was changed to industrial.

“We just expanded the industrial zone for it,” he said.

The company plans to use the land for additional parking.

In other business, the supervisors plan to apply for a Local Shares Account grant to help cover the cost of a loader or a dump truck.

“Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t,” Hurley said about the grant.

Hurley said the township has already ordered the tri-axle dump truck, but probably won’t receive it until next year. It costs about $175,000, and the loader would be about that same price, he said.

The Parks and Recreation Commission reported that it had a successful Environmental Day on Oct. 6.

“It was a big success, and they look forward to next years to be even bigger,” Hurley said.

Hurley said that the township put in a park for children on Polk Township Road, but there isn’t anywhere for adults to sit.

“I’ve seen parents sitting on the ground,” he said.

Money raised by the parks commission is going to go toward benches at the new park.

The historical society reported that its building in Kresgeville is being fixed and repainted.

The supervisors approved hiring Dennis McMahon to be a constable and work for the township only on election days.

“It is really just for elections,” Hurley said.

The township is also looking for someone to work at the recycle and waste center on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The center is open from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The employee could get additional hours, if wanted, by working with the road crew. Anyone interested in the position should contact the municipal office at 610-681-5376.