East Rockhill Township News.
For the seventh consecutive year, the East Rockhill Board of Supervisors has adopted a budget with no tax increases.
The balanced budget projects receipts and expenditures of $6,663,594. Highlights include a $10 per month sewage rate increase, oil and chip application on Three Mile Run Road from Schoolhouse Road to Rockhill Road and Old Bethlehem Pike to the Conrail Bridge and an overlay of Rockhill Road from the Rock Hill Quarry entrance to the Conrail Bridge.
Other projects listed are a basketball court overlay and streambank repair at Iron Bridge Park pending Department of Environmental Protection permit approval and the replacement of the Willard H. Markey Centennial Park skate park with two pickle ball courts and either a ½ basketball court or bocce.
Nearly half of the general fund budget is allocated to the Pennridge Regional Police Department. The next largest shares are public works at 18% and administration at 12%. Supervisor Dave Nyman noted that only 7% of the property tax revenue is distributed to the township, while the school district and the county receive 78% and 15%, respectively.
Everleigh Woods development
The board heard a presentation on the proposed Everleigh Woods housing development at 809 Three Mile Run Road. The development will include 24 single-family homes starting at approximately $800,000.
Following the presentation, members expressed opposition to the project’s density, particularly the close proximity of the homes. They argued that the proposal violates the settlement agreement between the developer and the township.
“The reason we have an agreement is because of density. Your proposal increases that density,” said Nyman. “We spent $1 million to not have it as dense as you’re asking for it to be. I will not vote to say we spent that money foolishly just so you can build bigger houses.”
“If we were to agree with the houses closer together, you build the houses and go away, but the neighbors, we deal with the rest of eternity,” Nyman added. “There’s good neighbors, and there’s neighbors that don’t get along.”
Warrantless arrest ordinance
The board approved an ordinance permitting PRPD to make warrantless arrests for certain summary offenses, including disorderly conduct, public intoxication, obstruction of highways and underage drinking. Township solicitor David Keightly said that the ordinance can “legitimize” an arrest for more serious offenses, such as illegal firearm or drug possession.
The next East Rockhill Board of Supervisors meeting is on December 16 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit eastrockhilltownship.org
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