November 11, 2002

The budget meeting of the Supervisors of Franklin Township, held in the 
Township office, was called to order by Chairman John Sachar at 0820 hours.  
Present were Sachar, Jarrett Miller and David Henderson.

REVENUES
Henderson stated that the only potential for an increase in revenues over what 
was presented is in earned income tax.  The tax collector has said that lay-offs 
throughout the County shouldn't affect our EIT levels to any great extent.

After review the earned income tax line item will be increased by $4,000 and 
realty transfer tax will be increased by $3,000.

EXPENSES
All agreed that the expenses as listed seem within reason.

Benefits Package – the employee's monthly benefit will be adjusted from $150 
to $158 per month.

Henderson – we could use help from a benefits counselor to determine the most 
beneficial way to handle our cafeteria plan.  Our accountant recommended a 
specialist from the Saegertown area.  Henderson was authorized to call and find 
out his rates.

Employees will receive a 2.4% cost-of-living increase.  This amounts to 28 cents 
an hour for the road laborers.

The snow and ice removal line item will be decreased by the difference in 
expenses over revenues to balance the budget.

Sachar left the meeting at 0917 hours.

Municipal Building Fund will not receive any funds this year.  The present 
balance will remain in the fund.

Miller – I would like to see money put into that fund.

Henderson – we can do it in future years.  We're up against the 10% tax increase 
limit in this reassessment year.

Dale Kallenbach arrived at 0930 hours.

Mr. Kallenbach asked if it would be feasible to ask the residents if they would 
agree to be assessed to pay for tar and chip to be used on the roads.

Kallenbach – Russell Standard has said that with a good road-base, tar and chip 
would hold up well.  Can you pick a road and run a trial on it and see how it holds 
up with the residents paying the assessment?  Girard Township tarred and 
chipped Gudgeonville and it has held up well.  Don't do the extra work like pipes 
and ditches.  The savings in man hours and wear and tear on the equipment may 
make it feasible.  I think it would be worth the experiment.

Henderson – the trouble with tar and chip is that you have to keep doing it over 
and over again.  What happens when we have a bad spring and all the roads fall 
apart?

Kallenbach – Russell Standard says the cost would be $3.50 per yard.  I think the 
idea is worth a letter to the residents to see what they think.

Miller to Henderson – put together the figures so we have an idea on cost.

Henderson – starting the program isn't the problem, maintaining it through the 
years is what troubles me.  The economy of scale is 2,200 residents to get the 
equity to start a program of paving.  Discussion.

Mr. Kallenbach left the meeting at 1014 hours.

ADJOURN
Miller called the meeting adjourned at 1016 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary