by justin strawser
ATLAS - The tentative 2012 budget for Mount Carmel Township was unanimously passed Wednesday night with no tax increases, but it was done so without being balanced.
"All the essentials are covered," Treasurer Joseph Zanella said about the street, fire, code and police departments.
However, non-essentials such as recreation are not covered yet, but the supervisors will be working on the budget over the next month to have it passed and adopted at the December meeting.
At this point, the expenses for next year total $1.4 million dollars, which is higher than 2011's expenses of $1.09 million, while revenue is approximately $900,000 for 2012.
Zanella said the most significant changes are a $45,000 reduction in the police budget since they no longer need to purchase law enforcement vehicles, something they had been saving for over a course of two years.
There will also be an increase in the office budget since they hired Meg Bartos as part time township manager in September at $14 an hour.
Supervisors Reynold Scicchitano and Zanella made and seconded the motion to accept the tentative budget. It passed 2-0. Supervisor Charles Gasperetti was absent.
In other business, Police Chief Brian Hollenbush reported to the board that 2011 is looking to be the most active year in his 11 years on the force.
There were 132 total calls last month, including 177 traffic citations and 15 arrests. The department is 52 traffic citations away from overtaking the 2009 record of 1,017.
Both supervisors compliment Hollenbush and the police force for a job well done.