HAZEL HURST — The Hamlin Township Supervisors discussed implementing an EMS tax in the township, which would benefit the township’s fire department.
Volunteer fire chief Randy Himes voiced his support for the tax. In fact, Himes recalled a meeting from 2013 where the issue was first discussed. He remembered at that time the supervisors said such a tax would generate an additional $60,000 for the fire department and wondered if the tax had already been implemented.
Supervisor chairman James Trussell said an EMS tax would amount to approximately $52 per year on every person who is employed within the township.
However, Trussell went on to say the township never followed through with the tax.
If such a tax were to be implemented, an ordinance would have to be drafted, according to Trussell. He said township solicitor Dan Hartle could draft the ordinance or the supervisors could find a similar one through the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.
Trussell supports the EMS tax, saying such a tax is “necessary.”
Himes also voiced his concerns about not being able to use the township fire hydrants when fighting a fire. He said “the water association doesn’t want us touching them,” as they ask for the fire department to pay for the water used in fighting a fire. Himes feels the fire department should not have to pay for the water to save someone’s property.
Township engineer Dan Slagle of Nichols and Slagle Engineering of Moon Township offered insight to Himes, saying that water costs approximately $5 per 1,000 gallons for an average municipality. Slagle said if it took 30,000 gallons to put out a fire in an hour, it would amount to $150 per hour to fight a fire. He thought the trade-off was justified.
“What’s the value of a house?” asked Slagle.
In other news, Slagle reported the township met with Mike Zimmerman of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection about possibly eliminating the Kushequa Area from the Act 537 plan. He added the design for both the permit level sewer and the wastewater treatment plant are both under way.
Supervisor Jim Myers asked Slagle why the township was not mandated to move east on U.S. Route 6 towards Marvindale. Slagle replied the DEP has required Kushequa and Lantz Corners to have sewers as per Act 537, but Marvindale is not part of the plan. He also estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the Commonwealth has sewer service.
The supervisors reported that Dave Roman Excavating Inc. of Reynoldsville has not completed several pieces of restoration work as a part of the Lantz Corners sewer design. Slagle recommended the supervisors authorize Hartle to send a notice to Roman and the bonding company informing them the township was going to pursue going after the maintenance bond if the work is not completed.
Meanwhile, Clarence Anderson of Saxonburg requested a variance from the township supervisors, asking that he does not have to connect his Campbelltown Road camp to the new sewer system. Anderson, who initially voiced his concerns at last month’s meeting, said connecting to the sewer would cost him $13.33 per day for each of the 45 days the camp is in use per year. He noted the bill amounts to more than he pays in school, township or county taxes per year.
The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 10.
