Aston holds the line on taxes in 2018 spending plan

ASTON » Commissioners on Wednesday night unanimously adopted a 2018 final operating budget totaling $15.385 million, reflecting a zero tax increase for residents.

Millage was set at 4.70 mills; the same as 2017.

A resident with a home assessed at $150,000 will pay $ 705 in township real estate taxes in 2018.

The largest expenditures in the spending plan include $7.176 million for police/ public safety; $1.505 million for highway; and $1.179 million for general government/administration.

The sanitation collection fee will remain $240 per single family unit, the same as 2017.

Commissioner Mark Osborn, who presented the budget, said the township, in keeping with the proposed vision plan, is continuing to progress with the Pennell Road Streetscape project, fencing and lighting at Weir Park, a new roof on the Old Schoolhouse, the Newsome Pond project, Smiles in the Playground special needs Park, Community Center roundabout, road program and the installation of LED lights. In addition, traffic calming measures are being taken into consideration for all wards.

Osborn said commissioners are evaluating the possibility of floating an $11 million loan for the renovation of and addition to the existing firehouse on Dutton’s Mill Road at the site of the former Green Ridge Firehouse, and construction of a new township administration building, which will also house the police and public works departments.

“We are evaluating a plan to best fill the financial needs of the residents,” Osborn said.