2012 Budget Won't Raise Taxes for Lower Nazareth Residents

Residents of already have something to look forward to next year: no tax hike.

Township Manager Timm Tenges told the Board of Supervisors at Wednesday night's meeting that the 2012 draft budget will keep the current 4.15 millage rate intact.

"This is probably our leanest year," Tenges said. "Things haven't improved much."

Tenges said in an effort to "stave off" a tax increase, he cut 4 percent out of the budget, making the proposed spending plan $249,000 less than last year's.

"We went through and looked at all of the things we could reduce" while maintaining funding for fire and EMS services, he said.

Tenges said he held off on filling a public works department opening and put some other things on hold.

He asked whether the supervisors wanted to advertise the budget or wait to review it at the Nov. 16 meeting.

Supervisor James Pennington suggested that supervisors wait until the next meeting to give supervisors Robert Kucsan and Ricky Johnson, both absent from Wednesday's meeting, the opportunity to review the budget.

In other township business, supervisors approved a a preliminary/final site plan for Panera Bread, which is moving into the Northampton Crossings shopping center.

One interesting aspect of the eatery is that it will include a drive-thru, the first of its kind for Panera Bread in the region.

But Frank Casio, who runs the Futon Experience next door, had issues with the drive-thru.

He stated that the drive-thru driveway would get blocked at times by his trucks and by customer pickups.

Greg Elko, who presented the plan for Panera, said the company didn't have a problem with that and would make accommodations.

Pennington suggested that a sign be posted warning Panera customers about possible trucks unloading items, especially during inclement weather. The supervisors approved the plan with the signage requirement.

Due to Election Day on Nov. 8, the next supervisors meeting will be on Nov. 16.