Taylor Township Approves Prelim Budget with Tax Increase

Taylor Township Supervisors passed a motion to approve the preliminary budget for 2025 which includes a .600 millage increase. The township needs an increase to assist the fire company in their purchase of a new vehicle. The proposed millage increase means a home worth $400,000 would pay $130 more in taxes per year. The fire company would get $45,000 per year. The township has not seen a tax hike since 2010. The Friendship Volunteer Fire Company reported their main rescue truck is out for repair and they have borrowed a truck from Saxton Volunteer Fire Co. They are looking to replace this truck. Their number of calls this year has swelled to 400 calls already logged, even before winter has set in.

There was supervisors’ discussion on a traffic light at PA36 and Cross Cove Road which has been the site of numerous accidents and fatalities. The township met with PennDOT about a study of the dangerous intersection. PennDOT wants a study undertaken here to see if a signal light is warranted here to replace the flashing yellow light. The township would need to cover the cost. This could be a five year project.

A motion was approved to make the Taylor Township Municipal Building ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant. Proposals will be going out for building upgrades. The township will need to add a section to the rear of the building with shower and bathroom and the doorways widened and restrooms in front would have to be ADA compliant. The cost would come in at approximately $30,000.

There will be a township alert system which means if there is plowing underway or a tree down there would be a mass notification to all county residents. They have talked to two different companies on setting this up.

On the road worker report, a super pave has been done on Frederick Road and Dick Schoolhouse Road. The state has also painted all lines there after pavement. The purchase of a skid loader broom for $11,000 was approved as it was in the budget. Work on Burkettown Road and Decker Hollow road was also updated. A good supply of salt was also reported for the upcoming winter season. During the secretary’s report it was announced that there was money earmarked to advertise the new proposed budget .

Township Engineer Greg Geishauser reported conditional approval was given last month to the Nooyen Pole building and approval to go ahead with work at Thomas Wareham Trucking. Pleasant View Farms is submitting an amended

Department of Environmental Protection ( DEP) application. The Don Metzler property line plan to add to acres has not yet been received by the township for review. The code enforcement officer is making sure the Cove Business System building is safe and stable.

During Citizen Recognition, Mark Ickes, Executive Director of Explore Altoona and three other members addressed the supervisors about the Blair County Board of Commissioners decertifying them. Ickes said Explore Altoona has been a solely dedicated destination marketing organization whose only specialty has been tourism marketing for more than a decade. They have created a 37% increase in travel spending over the past decade and $371 million in 2022 according to DCED’s most recent Tourism Impact Report. They asked the supervisors to support Explore Altoona to be retained as Blair County’s recognized Destination Marketing Organization.

The next Taylor Township Supervisors meeting is scheduled for December 2 at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.