FRANKLIN TWP — Supervisors voted Monday to advertise a fire tax ordinance that would have homeowners pay an average of just more than $40 a year to financially support the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department.

Jessica Parker, treasurer of the Prospect VFD, said the two-mill tax would generate about $53,000 a year for the department, which would provide a base and a boost to its budget.

“It was definitely a positive move,” she said. “We're hoping in about three to five years to be able to fund a new building for us.”

According to Bauer, the supervisors intend to vote on the ordinance at a special budget meeting Oct. 23. The tax would go into effect at the beginning of 2022.

Members of the department have been advocating for the ordinance at supervisors meetings for months.

Parker said a similar ordinance was approved a few months ago by Prospect Borough Council. It would similarly cost Prospect residents just more than $40 per year.

The Franklin Township supervisors said Monday they would like the department to provide reports and financial updates periodically if the ordinance passes.

“We need to be able to communicate,” said supervisor chairman Herman Bauer. “I see the need for some sort of funding.”

Parker, who told the supervisors she works full-time on top of raising a family, said she already puts unpaid hours into her duties as treasurer for the department, so the additional reports could be daunting. Other department members present at the meeting said they were confident they could maintain good communication with the supervisors.

Supervisor Janet Gray said she was in support of the ordinance, noting she has seen the enthusiasm of the department members, who are constantly working in the community on top of providing fire services.

“I do not want to see the fire department close its doors,” she said. “I think that would cost the township even more down the road.”

The township approved a comprehensive property maintenance ordinance at last month's meeting, which garnered frustration from many residents who spoke at the meeting.

The ordinance made it unlawful to store a junk vehicle on the exterior of a private or public property, unlawful to leave more than five pieces of mechanical equipment in public view, unlawful to store any residential or commercial trash or bulk waste outside on private or public property unless stored in a proper container for regular disposal and unlawful to haul trash to another property for disposal.

The ordinance also enacted a noise regulation, saying residents cannot produce sound exceeding 60 decibels. Just about every aspect of the ordinance drew criticism from residents, who said it took freedom away from homeowners.

Several people again voiced their issues with the ordinance Monday, saying it was an overreach of power and that it could create a combative atmosphere between residents.

Bauer responded by saying many aspects of the ordinance were adjustments to rules already in place. He said the supervisors could make changes if the ordinance does become abused.

“We'll see how it plays out,” Bauer said. “If it becomes odorous, we will be the ones to hear about it.”