Dingman budget gets small hike

DINGMAN — Dingman Township will spend $3,203,768, next year, an increase of $834,268. A new budget was presented and approved by the supervisors Tuesday. Township Secretary-Treasurer Karen Kleist said the impact on taxes will be minimal. “This will amount to an average of about $17 per property for the 2008 Tax Levy year.” The new tax rate will be 5.5 mills on each dollar of assessed valuation, a one-half mill increase. It is the first such increase in 10 years, according to the supervisors Supervisors Chair Tom Mincer said, “The fact that this small increase is the first in 10 years shows the township elected officials are working hard to keep taxes down.” In other business, Mincer spoke of the township ordinance which prohibits dumping, shoveling, pushing or placement of snow onto any town roads. Night-time parking is also prohibited on town roads from Dec. 1 to April 1. “Pushing snow from their residences onto the town roads creates a dangerous condition. It seems the same people are doing this year after year and we will keep our eye on them. If you hire a contractor to clear your snow and they violate the ordinance, the homeowner is responsible,” he warned. “PennDOT did a great job clearing away the snow and ice form the roads during the last two snow storms. This is unusual but the roads were better than ever,” Mincer remarked. Dingman Township Fire Chief Bill Mikulak told the supervisors that the fire department had to cancel the arrival of Santa Claus due to the snow storm and they will try to do this again on January 6. Mincer asked, “How can you cancel Santa Claus?” Mikulak responded, “It came from a higher power than me! We’ll do it in January and everyone will still be happy.” “Our secretary Karen Kleist plays a major role in keeping our budget in line by keeping the supervisors informed on financial matters.” said Supervisors Chair Tom Mincer. A new township ordinance 05-2007 was adopted by the Dingman Township Supervisors. This new ordinance revises an older ordinance regarding provisions for common open space and recreation areas in new subdivisions and also paving requirements for nonresidential subdivisions and land developments. This new ordinance more clearly defines requirements which the supervisors feel will be of benefit to the township.