Dec 9, 2015 3 min read

CECIL – Cecil Township has seen plenty of growth and changes in the past two decades, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the property tax rate.

The rate won’t change next year, either. Supervisors approved an $8.3 million budget Monday, holding the property tax rate at 11 mills.

It’s the same tax rate the township levied 22 years ago, even as township spending has increased during that period, said supervisors Chairman Thomas Casciola.

“With the growth we’ve had in the township, we have been able to fund our (over $8 million) budget,” he said.

Supervisors shifted the allocation of property tax funds by taking one mill from general purposes and adding it to road improvements. Now, 11 mills will be devoted to general purposes, three mills are for the fire departments and two mills are for road improvements.

The 2016 budget is about six percent larger than this year’s spending plan. The police department accounts for the largest expense, at about 29 percent of the overall budget. Road maintenance makes up about 14 percent.

In another matter, supervisors agreed to purchase 3.29 acres adjacent to the township building.

Cecil will pay John C. Hofrichter $300,000 for the land. As part of the agreement, Hofrichter, who owns a house across Millers Run Road, will lease the land and use it for as long as three years.

Casciola said the township has no immediate plans for the property, but if the township finds a use during the next three years, it will give Hofrichter six months’ notice to vacate the property.

Supervisors Elizabeth Cowden and D.J. Johnson voted against the measure, citing concerns with some aspects of the agreement, but the motion passed 3-2.

Casciola noted the township bought a small portion of the property when it built the township administration building, so the township wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire the whole lot.

Supervisors also tabled action on approving plans for a cellular tower at 216 Cumer Road after more than a dozen residents came to Monday’s meeting to complain they were not notified and did not have an adequate chance to voice their concerns.

Verizon Wireless was required to notify all nearby residents, but some people said they received two notifications while their neighbors received none.

The township has until mid-January to take action on the plans, but township officials will ask Verizon to agree to an extension. Otherwise, supervisors will schedule a hearing later this month and consider approving the plans at the meeting Jan. 4.

Supervisors also made some personnel changes within the police department. Sgt. James Brose will move to detective, while Officers John Holt Jr. and Michael Falconer will be promoted to sergeant.