By Karen Blackledge
DANVILLE — Townships would be financially strapped by a proposed tax that would force them to pay for state police services, says a supervisor in West Hemlock Township, Montour County.
Supervisors Chairman Dick Shultz told Montour County commissioners last week his township has written letters against a proposed per-resident fee included in House Bill 1500.
“This is an outrageous tax,” Commissioners Vice Chairman Jack Gerst said.
The fee would be imposed on townships not covered by their own or contracted police departments. Only Danville Borough and Mahoning Township in Montour County have police forces. Anthony, Cooper, Derry, Liberty, Limestone, Mayberry, Valley and West Hemlock townships rely on state police at Milton.
The commissioners said they would add the item to their Tuesday meeting agenda. They support townships opposing the tax.
They expect to send letters to state Rep. Merle Phillips, R-108, of RD2 Sunbury; state Rep. Russ Fairchild, R-85, of Lewisburg; state Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr., D-107, of Mount Carmel; state Sen. John Gordner, R-27, of Berwick; and U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-10, of Dimock.
House Bill 1500 would require every municipality without local police protection to pay an annual per capita fee of $52 the first year, $104 the second year and $156 in the third and additional years.
Valley Township, Montour County’s most populated township with 2,093 residents, would pay $108,836 the first year, $217,672 the second year and $326,508 the third and following years under the proposal.
Those not paying the fee wouldn’t receive state funding, including liquid fuels reimbursements, and would not be covered by state police patrols, which at the very least would affect residents’ sense of peace and security.
Gerst also urged those attending the commissioners’ meeting hosted by West Hemlock Township to support a bill that would restore arrest powers to sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in the state.
Commissioner Jerry Ward said Sheriff Ray Gerringer and his deputies could use township buildings as a base when patrolling areas.
“I know four or five guys who would do a great job,” Gerst said of the sheriff and his deputies.
