For 9th consecutive year, no tax increase planned in West Cornwall Township

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For the ninth consecutive year, West Cornwall Township supervisors are aiming to keep the millage rate at 1.25 mills, according to the 2025 draft budget released Monday, Nov. 11.

"We have the fifth lowest millage rate in the county," supervisor David Lloyd said.

The draft budget proposes to balance expenditures and revenues at $974,051.

Included in the budget is a township manager position — carried over from 2024 — as well as improvements to 67 W. Main St., which supervisors bought in May for $256,000. Lloyd said they hope to bring a township manager on board in 2025.

The budget calls for four capital projects for 67 W. Main St., an almost half-acre property at the intersection of Zinns Mill Road and SR 419 with black-topped areas and a historic building.

Easing a parking crunch on West Main Street in Quentin was a prime reason for the purchase of the property, and three of the four projects are related to public parking. Proposed are paving and striping the front and back lots at an estimated cost of $25,000 and installation of parking meters at $13,000.

Also in the budget is $78,500 for "building structural engineering and design" for the historic building. Supervisors have not yet decided how it will be used but have said they plan to preserve it.

That engineering and design work will be paid for by the township's remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds of $78,839, according to the draft budget.

Also included in the draft budget:

Several road repair projects including double-oil, double-stone of Starner Road, $58,000; drainage repair at Birch and Gretna avenues in Mount Gretna Heights, $13,000; and completion of curbing, sidewalk, and drainage on Main Street, Quentin, $103,000.

A 3-percent cost-of-living increase for employees, a 5-percent increase in health insurance, and a 3-percent increase in the township's contract with Cornwall Borough police. Chairman Russ Gibble reported that WellSpan-Philhaven in Mount Gretna upped its yearly contribution to the township for police services from $25,000 to $30,000.

In other business,

Solicitor Eric Gibson noted that, effective Dec. 1, supervisors of second-class townships can receive $3,145 a year, up from the current pay rate of $1,875. Currently, West Cornwall supervisors are paid $50 a meeting for a total of $600 annually. The new pay rate will not apply to current supervisors but will be in effect for new supervisors or re-elected supervisors. Gibson is preparing an ordinance to reflect the new rate;

Supervisors approved a final subdivision plan for two existing commercial sites on SR 117 in Mount Gretna. This allows Eastern Enterprises to create two deed-able lots so the businesses, Hickey Architects and La Cigale, can own the land they now lease.

Supervisors approved payment of $20,102.50 to Asphalt Maintenance Solutions LLC for crack sealing work on six township roads.

West Cornwall Township supervisors meet at 73 S. Zinns Mill Road on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 9. These meetings are open to the public and do not require registration.

For 9th consecutive year, no tax increase planned in West Cornwall Township

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