Township could face deficit in 2008
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

If the township decides to complete Phases 3, 4, and 5 of the Antrim Township Community Park, it will face a deficit of $2.1 million in 2008. So said township manager Ben Thomas Jr. in his budget presentation at the Oct. 30 worksession.

The Board of Supervisors has expressed interest in the past in completing the park as soon as possible. Planned longterm projects include improving the land out to Conococheague Lane, adding more athletic fields, another pavilion, a concession stand, restrooms, expanding parking and putting in tennis courts and roller-blade paths.

Thomas projected revenue next year at $3,765,000 and expenditures of $5,900,000.

He recommended the township tax rate remain at 2 mills. Each mill generates $128,750.

He estimated conservatively that the township would see $300,000 in real estate transfer taxes, and $1.3 million from earned income taxes for the general fund.

He set aside $1 million for road construction, expecting the board would be aggressive on road projects next year.

He also included a 3.3 percent raise for labor costs, based on the Consumer Price Index.

Thomas asked the board to adopt the preliminary budget at the Nov. 6 meeting. It will then be advertised and the final budget adopted Dec. 11.

He said the budget would still balance if the township used reserve funds.

The complete preliminary budget was not available for public review since it has not been acted upon.

Stormwater updates

Sylvia House, Assistant Zoning Officer/Public Works Inspector, shared information on stormwater concerns in two developments.

She said improvements had been made on the road in Moss Spring Estates and water now drained into the inlet boxes. Since some runoff was still muddy, the township had contacted developer Frank Plessinger. She said Antrim Township had no enforcement power on that issue, because that water problem was occurring in the borough section of the subdivision.

Franklin County Soil Conservation would have to enforce cleanup of the water, she said.

In Red Oak Estates, House said water ponding was back to the level it had been prior to the creation of the development. K Hovnanian Homes had installed diversion berms and inlet boxes, and taken measures to control silt. Runoff had been pooling on Brown's Mill Road and in yards behind it.

She reiterated that Soil Conservation had charge of subdivisions during construction and can issue fines. The township comes in afterwards to correct problems.

House said Antrim's first stormwater ordinance was written in 1976. The second in 1992 required narratives and engineering standards, as well as a review process. The ordinance adopted in December 2006 was more stringent and written as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection.