The Amity Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new five-year contract with the Amity Township Police Department on Dec. 3.
“It is a reasonable and acceptable contract that prevented arbitration — with raises well below an arbitration,” Supervisor Terry L. Jones, one of the township’s negotiators, said.
The current contract expires Dec. 31.
Police salary increases will be 2.25 percent the first and second years, a 2.5 percent increase the third and fourth years, and a 3 percent increase the fifth year.
Health insurance co-pays will also increase from the current rate of approximately $22.50 per paycheck to $25 the first year and incrementally increasing each year until the rate is $45 by the fifth year.
“Very few [contracts] . . . it’s very rare to have a contract without going to arbitration,” said Police Chief Kent A. Shuebrook.
Jones and Supervisor David Hackett have negotiated the new contract since August.
Township Manager Charles E. Lyon said the township will receive $165,000 in earned income tax revenue by Dec. 31, resulting in an unexpected surplus of $58,000, and thus avoiding a 2015 budget deficit.
Lyon had previously estimated a $66,000 deficit.
The township’s fund balance will be $2.4 million.
Supervisor Richard L. Gokey recommended that the township attempt to secure road repair contracts now, while oil prices are $65 a barrel — he said the lowest since 2008.
Public Works Foreman Alistair Howell-Clarke said a 2015 road repair and paving bid package will be available after Jan. 1.
“The last couple of years we’ve been getting it [the bid package] out early [in the year] and have received good prices,” Howell-Clarke said.
The board unanimously approved for Code Enforcement Officer Steven Loomis to proceed with removing the Clothing/Recycling Drop Box from a former gas station property at Old Airport Road and Benjamin Franklin Highway.
Board Chairperson Kimberly J. McGrath said the board had previously discussed the five or six drop-box sites located throughout the township but had not voted on a resolution.
She said the township has received complaints about the large amount of items that accumulate at the boxes and also questioning the frequency that the sites are cleaned out by the owner.
“We were still debating whether to remove them entirely or to limit [to occupied properties],” said McGrath.
“The board is concerned with trash-dumping,” Gokey said, adding, “they are a real eyesore in our township.”
The board unanimously approved at its Nov. 19 meeting to appoint Jennifer Harding and Susan Fix to represent Amity Township on the Boone Area Library Board of Trustees.
Harding’s appointment is effective immediately and Fix’s appointment is effective Jan. 1.
