ATLAS - Sewage rates will increase in Mount Carmel Township, starting with residents' next bill.
Mount Carmel Township Board of Supervisors approved a resolution Wednesday for a three-dollar increase by unanimous vote of Supervisors Charles Gasperetti, chairman; Reynold Scicchitano and Joseph Zanella.
"If a pipe breaks or we need some other kind of maintenance, we don't have the funds to do it." Zanella said. "This increase will keep the funds there to do repairs when they are needed."
The increase raises bills from $77 to $80 every other month. Residents in Den Mar Phase II, Locust Gap, Mount Carmel Estates and Oak Ridge Estates will see the increase on their next sewage bill.
Another resolution passed during Wednesday night's meeting abolished the positions of elected auditors and permanently removes the position from the ballot.
Township officials said after the meeting the move was done because of lack of interest in the position and the advantage of hiring professional auditors to complete the yearly task.
In other business, the board approved amending of a 1994 ordinance to regulate the occupancy of dwelling units by the prior issuance of an occupancy permit, establishment of fees and setting penalties.
The ordinance establishes a $25 fee for a housing inspection by the code enforcement officer prior to receiving the occupancy permit, adding a $25 fee if deficiencies in the inspection are not corrected within five days and setting the fines for violations from $100 to $300 per day, along with a 30-day imprisonment if there is a default on the fines.
Township Police Chief Brian Carnuccio was authorized to establish the process and procedures for a fire police unit in the township.
Approval was given to allow the Mount Carmel VFW T-ball and Rookie baseball teams and Atlas Fire Company junior baseball team to use the Strong Baseball Field, and allow Heather Smith to use an area by the basketball courts at the playground for a wedding ceremony, pending a receipt of proof of insurance.
Supervisors voted to advertise the street sweeper schedule for 2013.
They reminded residents that a representative from Congressman Lou Barletta's office will be at the township building from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 9. Barletta's staff will be at the township municipal building for an outreach program on the second Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon.