Williams Township board authorizes referendum to restore .25% earned income tax for land preservation

Williams Township supervisors on March 12 authorized the township solicitor to prepare a referendum to place a .25% earned income tax on the November ballot to fund land preservation efforts.

Solicitor Colby Grim explained the Land Preservation Board’s request and the supervisors voted 3-0 to authorize drafting the referendum after a brief discussion about the time it takes to accumulate funds for preservation. Supervisor Michael Bryant seconded the motion and Vice Chair Raymond Abert supported it.

The board also approved Agreements of Sale for three properties the Land Preservation Board is pursuing: 2145 Morgan Hill Road (Kutz), 2155 Morgan Hill Road (Kutz) and 1075 Morvale Road (Derrington). Each agreement was approved by a 3-0 vote and the Township Manager, Melody Ernst, was authorized to sign the documents.

Supervisor Abert moved that the township authorize use of the Williams Township Community Building or Municipal Building for a workshop to be led by Heritage Conservancy and organized by the Land Preservation Board; the motion passed 3-0. Land Preservation Board representative Ken Kodama briefly introduced the proposal and noted Matt Babbitt of Heritage Conservancy would help educate residents about the referendum and preservation options.

The board recorded no opposing votes. Next steps: the solicitor will prepare the referendum language for placement on the November ballot, and the township will schedule the Heritage Conservancy workshop to provide residents additional information on participation and property enrollment.