SMETHPORT — The Keating Township Supervisors on Wednesday approved advertising the 2017 proposed municipal budget on a 2 to 1 vote.
The tentative spending plan — comprised of three parts — includes the approximate amounts of $500,000 for the general fund, $194,000 in state aid, and $383,000 in the sewer fund.
The proposed budget will be available for public review at the township offices for 20 days, beginning Monday
Supervisor chairman David McCllain and Doug Covert voted in favor. Rich Tanner cast the “no” vote, saying he disagreed with some of the income and expenses in some categories, explaining that he had similar objections with the current budget.
“I’m not working on any budget if it’s not clear,” Tanner said, suggesting a forensic audit be done with an outside party. “If I’m wrong, I’m willing to step down as a supervisor,” he added.
Noting that this and previous budgets were drafted the same ways and without any legal problems, McClain said, “This is the same action taken by Second Class Townships for decades.” He and Covert said they were confident in the budget preparations and said they were not opposed to a forensic audit.
Selecting the person to perform the forensic audit will be discussed at the supervisors’ work session on Nov. 21. This meeting could be moved from its usual 3:30 p.m. starting time so more residents could attend.
John Stratton of the Keating Township Citizens Committee questioned the supervisors about some aspects of the budget.
“Openness is important to the residents so they have the time to express concerns about what’s in the budget,” Stratton said. “Residents need a summary of the more important parts.”
Responding, McClain said, “It’ll be out almost a month for public review, and we’ll accept any and all concerns.”
While the proposed budget will be on display for public review at the township offices, it will not be permitted to leave the premises.
During the discussion, it was noted that in the last two years no township resident reviewed the budget at the offices.
In other matters, Smethport Disposal won the bid for solid waste collection.
The supervisors agreed to pay $67,854.65 in expenses pertaining to the municipal wastewater treatment plant.
A project update on this project’s Phase II, the Cyclone plant, showed that about 90 percent of the pumps are installed.
In the Phase III part of the project that includes the Farmers Valley area, the township solicitor is preparing a right-of-way agreement to place a pump station at the Elk Lick Scout Reserve.
At the supervisors’ September meeting, some residents of the Northwoods subdivision and Ventures Drive in the Aiken-Gifford area asked the township for help in maintaining these two roads.
Since then, a township employee and a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation municipal representative visited the site. PennDOT officials said it would cost about $300,000 to bring the roads up to specification in order to be eligible for liquid fuels funding, and this would be a gravel surface.
“That would almost be half of our annual budget,” McClain said.
Nevertheless, the township is willing to pursue the matter, even as far as searching for grants. Additionally, McClain favors scheduling a meeting with the county commissioners to discuss the matter further.
“A good first step would be reaching out to the county planning commission,” suggested Stratton.
