Antrim adjusts budget

Antrim's deficit spending in 2010 will go up another $106,000. Administrator Brad Graham announced Dec. 8 that he had modified the payroll for that amount and entered the figure into the previously approved preliminary budget. Antrim plans to hire another person for the road department.

The supervisors will adopt the budget Dec. 29. It's initial township fund balance was projected to be down $577,153 at the end of next year compared to Dec. 31, 2009.

Graham also asked that Antrim's landfill inspector be given new guidelines for his job responsibilities, and spend an hour a day at Mountain View Reclamation, instead on one hour a week. The budget allows $5,000 for the position, although half will be reimbursed by the state and 25 percent by Montgomery Township.

The board approved a 180-day extension for the conceptual/preliminary plan for The Preserve at Greencastle. It OKed the municipal building as a site for a Questionnaire Assistance Center for the U.S. Census Bureau. The federal government will send in a person one day a week in March and April to help people fill out their census forms.

In response to a letter from Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County asking for a donation, James Byers suggested the township come up with a courtesy letter turning down such requests.

"I agree," said Rick Baer. "Where do you stop?"

Fred Young III said while the township couldn't spend taxpayer money on such causes, citizens should decide personally who they wanted to make contributions to.

The board met in executive session for two hours to discuss Moss Spring litigation and employee matters. Chairman Curtis Myers was authorized to sign an agreement with Moss Spring pending review by the township solicitor.