By John Chambless
Staff Writer

As expected, the Franklin Townsihip Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the township's 2016 budget on Dec. 16. The total tax rate will be 2.495 mills.

The combined budget expenditure is $2,599,162. Tax rates were set at 1.225 mills for the General Fund, .500 for Emergency Services, .270 for Parks and Recreation, and .500 for Open Space.

Board chairman John Auerbach led a tribute to Ralph Olivier, the former chairman of the Planning Commission, who passed away recently. Olivier was a member of the commission for more than 12 years, and served as chairman since 2007. He was a founding member of the Historical Architectural Review Board as well as the Historical Commission. The township will be making a donation to Tri-State Bird Rescue in Olivier's honor, and also planting a tree on the township property in his memory.

Auerbach also read a proclamation thanking Board of Supervisors member Eric Brindle, who has served on the board for seven years, and on the Planning Commission for 11 years. Brindle is retiring from public service. Auerbach noted that Brindle implemented the deer feeder program in the township, was instrumental in the founding of the Franklin Sportsman's Association, and “helped guide the township on a steady track during a period of rapid growth and development.”

The meeting included a lengthy discussion of stream monitoring equipment that would keep watch on water quality issues in the township. David Arscott of the Stroud Water Center, as well as former supervisor Paul Overton, explained that the devices monitor streams for any changes so that further testing can be done. There is a stream monitoring program in place in London Grove Township, which has collected data from several pollutant locations for about six months.

The board has said it will continue to track London Grove Township's experience with the program before making a decision on spending $10,000 for the monitors. That cost would be incurred only in the first year. Subsequent years will require only monitoring of the results. The board, which has considered water monitoring equipment for several years, will revisit the issue in three months.

The Board of Supervisors organizational meeting will be held Jan. 4. Other upcoming meetings are: Elected auditors (Jan. 5, 8 a.m.); Historical Commission and HARB (Jan. 6, 7 p.m.); Planning Commission (Jan. 7, 7 p.m.); and the Board of Supervisors (Jan. 20, 7 p.m.). For updated information on the township, visit www.franklintownship.us.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email jcha[email protected]m.