Salem Township supervisors advertise 2025 budget, pursue grants and authorize $60,000 for volunteer fire companies

The Salem Township Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Nov. 20 to advertise its proposed 2025 budget, seek grant funding for water and equipment projects and approve a series of contracts and disbursements intended to support township services.

The board — supervisors Bob Zundel, Ken Trumbetta and Kerry Jobe — preliminarily approved the 2025 Proposed Budget for advertisement and set final approval for the board’s Dec. 18 public meeting. The board also authorized soliciting quotes to appoint a certified public accountant or accounting firm to perform the township’s 2024 fiscal audit, with quotes due before Dec. 9 and an appointment planned for the Jan. 6, 2025 reorganization meeting.

Why it matters: The board is preparing its fiscal plan and procurement steps for 2025 while pursuing state grant funds that could fund infrastructure projects and equipment without raising taxes.

Major motions and actions approved

Votes at a glance (each motion passed unanimously, supervisors Bob Zundel, Ken Trumbetta and Kerry Jobe voting in the affirmative): - Approve Oct. 16, 2024 meeting minutes (motion by Kerry Jobe; second Ken Trumbetta). - Approve monthly expenditures totaling $120,116.81 across funds (General $45,514.37; Payroll $41,775.40; Liquid Fuels $21,277.19; Park Initiative $5,045.00; others). - Preliminarily approve and advertise the 2025 Proposed Budget (final vote scheduled Dec. 18, 2024). - Advertise solicitation for a certified public accountant or accounting firm to conduct the 2024 audit. - Advertise and solicit bids for traffic-signal safety modifications at six signalized intersections along State Route 22 and a flashing school-zone device along State Route 119. - Reimburse Kepple Farm Properties, LLC $42.05 for county taxes (catastrophic loss calculation). - Authorize an agreement with UPMC Health Plan for the 2024–25 renewal period (board had approved an 8.4% premium increase at a prior meeting and this motion authorized the agreement). - Approve an updated service agreement with Definiti effective Jan. 1, 2025 (new pricing structure). - Approve a $1,000 donation to Mutual Aid Emergency Medical Services (in lieu of a $5-per-capita request); board heard that collection rates for EMS transports were about 50–60% and that rates rose about 17% last year. - Approve a $60,000 General Fund disbursement, split equally between Forbes Road Volunteer Fire Department and Slickville Volunteer Fire Department (this is separate from the 1% fire tax). - Join the PA Townships Health Insurance Cooperative Trust for dental coverage for township employees; annual premium to rise from $10,770.10 to $11,308.30. - Table hiring for a road crew position. - Adopt Resolution No. 29-2024 to apply for Pennsylvania Race Horse and Gaming Act funds (Commonwealth Funding Agency) for a Salem Township multi-area waterline extension project; the board discussed five candidate roads (Kennan, Tucker, Hornock, Kaufman, Tower and Apple Lane) and noted project estimates range roughly $346,000–$731,000 per location. - Adopt Resolution No. 30-2024 to apply for Pennsylvania Race Horse and Gaming Act funds for township equipment purchases and designate an agent to act on the township’s behalf. - Grant a setback-line waiver to Christopher (Chris) Ickes at 212 Congruity Road to reduce the front setback from 30 feet to 20 feet for a proposed 4,000 sq. ft. accessory building; solicitor explained the permit process and alternatives if waiver were not granted. - Approve subdivision for John Randall Koenig (create one 8.4801-acre commercial buildable lot) subject to plan note and revision-number corrections. - Approve subdivision of Tax Map No. 57-16-00-0-013 for Alquin Heinnickel into two lots, granting specified minimum-lot-size modifications contingent on required land development filings and plan notes.

What supervisors discussed and clarified

- Public safety and traffic: Corporal Parsley of the Kiski Barracks reported local crime is down and described patrol responsibility; supervisors and residents raised speeding complaints on State Route 22 and requested traffic-study attention. - Mutual Aid EMS: Kerry Jobe summarized a recent request from Ken Bacha, a Mutual Aid organizer, describing collection rates and reimbursement limits for non-transport calls; the board approved a $1,000 donation to help cover EMS losses. - Waterline grant prospects: Jobe asked residents to email the township about water issues; council noted the applications are competitive and any project would be prioritized by merit. - Subdivisions and waivers: Solicitor Falatovich explained legal and process implications for the setback waiver and subdivision modifications, including options if a building permit would otherwise violate setback rules.

Next steps and public participation

The board scheduled final budget consideration for Dec. 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. and will solicit audit quotes by Dec. 9. The Planning Commission will continue review of proposed SALDO amendments and the township intends to schedule the required public hearing early in the new year. Residents with specific concerns about waterline needs or development plans were invited to submit information to township staff.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.