CONNOQUENESSING TWP — The board of supervisors voted to increase the township fire tax from a half-mill to 2 mills at its meeting Tuesday night.

Solicitor Andrew Menchyk said the only way to repeal the half-mill fire tax was to replace the ordinance with one that would allow the supervisors to set new millage.

The money will go toward the township's volunteer fire company.

“The only way to change the ordinance is with another ordinance,” Menchyk explained.

The supervisors discussed the possibilities of increases in fire tax millage and settled on 2 mills, which would generate $90,000 annually of guaranteed funds for the fire company.

Chairman Terry Steinheiser said the fire company was seeking guaranteed funds to build a building and eventually buy a new fire engine.

At a previous meeting hosted by the fire company at its fire hall, no community members were opposed to a millage increase, he said.

“We all need them,” Steinheiser said of the fire department. “We don't want to lose them.”

Edward Rupert, vice chairman, said the company initially had requested 3 mills.

“They came to us a number of years requesting an increase,” Rupert said.

Lou Zimmerman, chief of Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, thanked supervisors for the increase and said he hoped to work closely with municipal leaders in the future regarding the organization's projects.

Other actions

The board also voted to adopt the proposed 2022 budget, which totaled $1,108,399 and which Steinheiser said holds no changes from last year.

The fire tax is the only tax increase on the budget, according to Steinheiser.

“There's no millage increase, except the fire tax,” Steinheiser said.

At his last meeting as vice chairman, Rupert was applauded by community members and the board upon the meeting's conclusion. Rupert is retiring. Larry Spangler was elected to fill his seat.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday.

The above article was updated at 2:00 p.m. December 29 to correct the total amount of the budget, which was incorrectly reported in the original story.