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Plains Township board approves multiple LSA applications, accepts 2025 budget first reading and authorizes $500,000 TAN
Summary
At its Nov. 14 meeting the Plains Township Board approved resolutions to seek Local Share Account funding for a new police station, municipal building renovations and a DPW dump truck; accepted the first reading of the $13.19 million 2025 budget; and authorized a $500,000 tax-anticipation note at 5.55%.
Plains Township Board of Commissioners on Nov. 14 approved a series of funding applications and financial measures, including Local Share Account (LSA) grant applications for a proposed North Main Street police station and municipal building renovation, authorization to apply for a DPW dump truck grant, acceptance of the first reading of the 2025 tentative operating budget and authorization of a $500,000 tax-anticipation note.
The board voted to adopt a resolution authorizing a $1,296,993 LSA application for a new North Main Street Police Station (moved by Commissioner Peter J. Biscontini, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Shubilla); to apply for $231,826.78 in LSA funding for renovations at 126 North Main Street (moved by Commissioner Ciro Cinti, seconded by Biscontini); and to seek $108,951 in LSA funds for a DPW dump truck (moved by Shubilla, seconded by Cinti). All motions carried.
Why it matters: LSA funds are a competitive state-administered source typically used by municipalities to fund capital projects. The board’s applications, if awarded, would support a proposed police facility, municipal-building renovations and DPW equipment purchases identified in the township’s capital needs.
The board also accepted the first reading of the township’s tentative 2025 operating budget, which lists total revenues and expenditures of $13,186,784.68. Significant line items in the document include $2,107,025.44 for police protection, $1,961,493.62 for fire protection and $2,907,660.30 for benefits and payroll-related costs. The first reading was presented by Commissioner Thomas Shubilla; no final adoption vote was recorded at the meeting.
Officials further approved a proposal from Fidelity Discount Bank for a 2025 Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) in the amount of $500,000 at a 5.55% interest rate (motion recorded as moved by Commissioner Ciro Cinti and seconded by Commissioner Shubilla). The minutes record the motions as carried but do not provide a roll-call tally or list individual yea/nay votes.
Other contract and administrative actions approved without extended discussion included authorization to sell unused fire equipment (with some items offered to employees and the remainder listed on Municibid), signing-over title for a 1997 GMC truck to Red’s Towing for disposal, reimbursement to a taxpayer for a $198.66 overpayment per Luzerne County Tax Assessment Appeals and solicitor authorization to execute documents dismissing Value Drug Company from the National Opioid Lawsuit.
The board also approved procedural items and routine reports: acceptance of prior meeting minutes and monthly department reports and a motion permitting Verdantas to hold a public meeting Nov. 25 about the Valley Crest SR 6309 Mundy Street Crossroads improvement project.
What’s next: The 2025 budget remains at first reading and will require future action for final adoption. LSA grant applications will proceed through state review processes; awards, if any, were not decided at the meeting.
