The Washington Township Board of Supervisors made their decision to significantly reduce real estate taxes official on Dec. 19.  Taxes will drop 38 percent.

        The board voted unanimously to reduce the tax rate from 4.32 mills to 2.7 mills in 2014, a decrease of 1.62 mills. Under the new millage rate, taxes on a median property assessed at $167,000 would be reduced by approximately $250.

        The budget approved for 2014 is $4,339,557 and includes the cost of running the township sewer and water authorities. There will be no reduction in sewer fees in the coming year; the sewer rate will continue to be $1,324 annually for the foreseeable future, officials said.  

        Residents attending the meeting, who regularly voice their concern about taxes and sewer fees, were subdued when the budget passed.

        In other township news, Engineer John Weber, LTL Consultants, informed the board that the paperwork necessary to implement the traffic signal at Barto Road and Route 100 is in the process of being completed. Weber said his engineering firm will apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for a highway occupancy permit for the light.  

        He said letters to adjoining property owners along the roadway will be sent soon.  Some property owners will be asked for temporary easements for construction purposes and others will be required to give right of way easements. It is hoped the legal preparation and construction of the light can be completed in 2014.  
        The supervisors also authorized LTL Consultants to prepare specifications and advertise for the 2014 road projects along Lenape Road, Wissinger Road and Gehman Road.
        Also at the meeting, Washington Township Chair Tonya Bauer completed her term of office on the board of supervisors.  Bauer’s position on the board will be filled by Dave Moyer beginning in January.  
        The board of supervisors announced it has vacancies that it hopes to fill on several of its voluntary committees. There are three openings on the recreation committee, one vacancy on the transportation committee, one vacancy on the township water authority, and two vacancies as alternates on the environmental advisory council. Bauer noted that the recycling center also needs volunteers.