Dec 6, 2012 2 min read

CECIL – Road improvements are high on the list for Cecil Township in the coming year.

The township’s preliminary 2013 budget calls for $1 million in capital road construction projects, and contains no tax increase.

No specific roads have been identified for repair, but township Manager Donald Gennuso said the board plans to discuss the matter in January and develop a list for its engineer.

In a related matter, Supervisor Frank Ludwin said the 1996 road paver has reached the end of its use and suggested the purchase of a used one that is available.

The cost would be $55,000, he said, compared to $154,000 for a new one.

But Supervisor Elizabeth Cowden said the township should look at purchasing new equipment.

“When you buy used you buy someone else’s problems,” she said.

The board approved the purchase of a used paver but first directed Gennuso to check with the State Association of Township Supervisors on purchasing guidelines.

One mill of the 16 mills in the budget is levied for machinery/ road equipment while another 2 mills is directed for fire protection. One mill generates about $135,000.

The preliminary budget of $6.6 million was approved by the board. Among the revenue is $1.7 million in real estate taxes; $2.5 million in local enabling taxes; $216,490 in licenses and permits; $133,500 in state grants; $425,200 in shared revenues; $880,000 special purposes and $243,000 in miscellaneous revenues.

On the expenditure side, $837,751, legislative body; $1.8 million, police; $90,000, fire protection; $308,404, planning, zoning and code enforcement; $656,371, road and bridge maintenance; and $472,600 in debt service.

A special meeting is planned for 9 a.m. Dec. 28 at which time the budget is expected to be adopted.

The budget is available for review at the municipal office.