JACKSON TOWNSHIP ONLINE NEWS
JACKSON TOWNSHIP NEWS
DECEMBER 20, 2002
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP TO LOWER TAXES FOR 2003
While most municipalities are raising taxes in Cambria County, Jackson
Township is taking the exact opposite approach. At the December 19th Board
of Supervisors Meeting, the Supervisors voted to
lower taxes by one mill taking the rate of Township Real Estate Taxes from
8 mills to 7 mills for 2003. Supervisor Bruce Baker initiated the action
by saying that with the current revenues received from the Laurel Highlands
Landfill, it was time to give something back to the people of Jackson Township.
The motion passed 2 to 1 with Supervisors Bruce Baker and Dave Bracken voting
to lower the taxes
and Supervisor Bob Stephens voting against it. Additional proposed projects
for Jackson Township should also contribute to the tax base in the future.
2003 BUDGET ADOPTED
The Jackson Township Supervisors unanimously approved a budget for 2003 of
$2,326,640. The breakdown is as follows: General Fund- $737,840.00, State
Fund-$175,000.00, Fire Hydrant Fund-$10,000.00, Rescue Fund-$9,000.00, Capital
Reserve Fund-$1,319,000.00 and Senior Center Fund-$75,800.00. On a side note,
the Capital Reserve Fund should go over the 1 million dollar mark in January
of 2003. This is a milestone the Township can be proud of and it can reassure
residents that Jackson Township is starting the new year in sound financial
health.
STREET LIGHT TO BE INSTALLED AT OLD NANTY GLO ROAD
The Supervisors voted unanimously to have a street light installed at
the intersection of Old Nanty Glo Road and Route 271. Bob Albright, a resident
who resides on Old Nanty Glo Road made the initial
suggestion of the light stating concerns for safety at the intersection.
Supervisor Bruce Baker contacted PennDOT and First Energy and found out that
a light would have no installation cost to
the Township. The only cost incurred would be that of the monthly electric
bill. Mr. Albright was happy with the outcome and stated that it would not
only benefit those who use Old Nanty Glo Road but anyone who drives on Route
271 in or out of Nanty Glo. The Supervisors would like to thank Mr. Albright
for his suggestion.
TIMBERING TO HELP DEVELOP RECREATION FACILITIES IN JACKSON
The Jackson Township Supervisors voted to proceed with timbering on Township
owned property with monies received being used to help develop recreation
facilities in the Township. One site that was mentioned was property along
Lorain Road. A forester will be hired to determine what timber can be removed.
Some of the suggested uses of monies from the timbering are to develop a
park along Lorain Road. It is too early to determine what facilities could
be located at that park until many factors are considered. Supervisor Bruce
Baker said perhaps some picnic pavilions or horseshoe pits could be located
there. As plans develop for Lorain Park, details will be shared with Township
residents. Additional recreational development at Mitchell and Leidy Parks
may also be considered. A similar timbering project in 2002 at Mitchell Park
netted $30,000 in funds to the Recreation Commission. So far, playground
equipment was purchased for Mitchell and Leidy Parks that will be installed
in Spring of 2003. The remainder will be used to develop ball fields at Leidy
Lane.
WASTE MANAGEMENT SPREADS GOOD WILL FOR CHRISTMAS
Waste Management who operates the Laurel Highlands Landfill once again
distributed turkeys for Christmas to those families in need. Churches in
Jackson Township submitted a number of turkeys needed for families they
considered to be needy. Well over 80 turkeys were distributed as representatives
of the Township churches picked up the turkeys to be distributed. Brad Minemyer
of Waste Management said "We are happy with the relationship we have with
Jackson Township and we were more than happy to contribute the turkeys during
the holiday season".
WATER LINE COULD CREATE ECONOMIC BOOM FOR JACKSON TOWNSHIP
A proposed water line going from Salt Lick Reservoir to Ebensburg could create
an economic boom for Jackson Township. Under the plan, more than 50,000 feet
of pipe, about 10 miles of line would wind from Mineral Point through Jackson
Township and Nanty Glo through Cambria Township and onto Egbensburg's treatment
plant. The Johnstown water authority has agreed to install the first 20,000
feet from the planned Salt Lick Treatment Plant, and Ebensburg will do the
rest. The waterline probably would run through undeveloped rural land in
Jackson Township that could be prime land in a few years when the final pieces
of Route 22 become a four-lane highway. When completed, the proposed
Salt Lick Treatment Plant could handle 4.5 million gallons of water per day.
Work could start in early 2004. Economic development specialists point to
the area along Route 22 in Cambria & Jackson Townships as a potential
hot spot for commercial growth as it's expanded into a four lane highway
all the way to Pittsburgh.
INVITE OTHERS TO JOIN JACKSON TOWNSHIP NEWS ONLINE:
Anyone can register their email address at the Township website which
is www.jacksontwppa.com You may also call Dave Hirko at the Township office
at 749-0725 with email addresses that wish to be added as well. We hope to
make this newsletter a valuable resource to keep the citizens and those
interested in Jackson Township updated on important information and news.
We hope you enjoy receiving news updates on Jackson Township and will spread
the word to others to sign up to receive future newsletters at the Jackson
Township Website. Our website is updated frequently and
the address is www.jacksontwppa.com. If you have any ideas, suggestions or
comments please forward them to
office@jacksontwppa.com
Jackson Township Supervisors
Dave Hirko / Manager
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