Hi, Neighbors. We had a Legislative Meeting last week. It was relatively uneventful, but I wanted to let you know what happened.
If you want to watch the meeting from the beginning, click here. Otherwise, click on the links below to jump to the parts of the meeting that are of particular interest to you. Where appropriate, I’ve also included links to an archive of the topics discussed, so that you can see the history of any particular conversation.
- We voted (5-0) to accept the 2015 millage rate ordinance, which kept the township millage rate the same at 3.5 mills. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting.)
- We also voted (5-0) to accept the 2015 budget—click here to see the 2015 budget as adopted. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- We heard what our police department has been up to, including reports of kids ringing doorbells then running away. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- We discussed speeding enforcement in Aleppo and agreed to write a letter to our state representatives encouraging them to pass legislation permitting local police departments to use RADAR enforcement. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- I passed along concerns I had heard from residents about the proposed water rate increase and Commissioner Lisanti responded. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting.)
- We heard from our tax collector and treasurer about the township’s revenue and bank balances. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- We voted (5-0) to exhonerate real estate tax bills from residents who won reassessments in court. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting.)
- We received a report concerning the water authority and heard that water rates are expected to increase by 15% in 2015. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting.)
- We discussed what the Public Works Department spent the month working on. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting.)
- We heard that an internal committee has reviewed and updated the road study and has a 5- and 10-year paving plan. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- Our solicitor told us that we have finalized a contract extension on the 2014 road paving project. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- We voted (5-0) to offer approximately $25,000 as Estimated Just Compensation to the 20 property owners whose easements concerning the sewer project remain unresolved. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting.)
- We continued our discussion about the renaming of South McCoy Place Road. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- We further discussed retaining independent counsel to review a strategy for the refinancing of the bond issue. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting. Click here to see the archive of this topic.)
- We agreed to look beyond our auditor for model language for recommended policy adoptions. (Click here to see this segment of the meeting.)
As always, we’d love to hear from you. If any of these issues are important to you, let me know. I’ll be happy to share your views with the rest of the commissioners.
One final note: my family, our neighbors, and I all had a blast seeing Santa riding around on a fire truck. Special thanks to the Aleppo Township Volunteer Fire Department for organizing this great event.
I hope those of you who celebrate Hanukkah have been enjoying yourselves. Merry Christmas to our residents who celebrate Christmas. And happy New Year to all–may 2015 be Aleppo’s best yet!
Best wishes,
Matthew Doebler
Aleppo Township Commissioner