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BLACK LICK -- Burrell Township's supervisors are hoping to avoid a repeat of last December, when they passed the municipality's first tax increase in more than a decade.

The tentative 2010 budget approved Wednesday calls for freezing Burrell's property tax rate at a total of 7.6 mills, following an overall 3-mill hike approved a year ago.

But, supervisors indicated some financial juggling may be needed to balance increasing costs with declining revenues.

The tentative budget calls for $904,812 in expenditures, which would leave a projected unappropriated balance of $251,499.71 at the end of 2010.

Supervisor John Shields said the township is on track to carryover about $100,000 in unexpended funds into 2010, but he would like to see that amount boosted to $130,000 due to expected cost increases next year.

Shields said the biggest increase the township is facing is a 20 percent jump in insurance costs, or about $21,000, while prices for road materials also are on the rise.

As a result, "We're looking to manage the budget a little better," he said.

"We're trying to hold the line on tax increases," Supervisor Les Henry said.

To reach that goal, he indicated, the township will look into possible changes in its employee health insurance plan to help offset the increasing costs.

"We're working with our insurance agent to see what we can come up with," he said.

Another possibility, Henry said, is asking the township parks board to assume the $13,000 expense budgeted for a seasonal worker at the parks.

The budget will be available for public inspection at the township office prior to final adoption next month.

At the beginning of Wednesday's meeting, Shields, who will end his appointment to the board of supervisors in December, stepped down from the role of chairman.

Citing his failed bid earlier this month for election to a full term, he said, "I think it's in the best interest that I step down as chairman, being that I was voted out."

He turned over the gavel to Henry, who is vice chairman.

Shields, a Democrat, was defeated by Republican David Henry, who operates a local tree service and was former president of the township parks board.

Offering new service

The supervisors commended the Black Lick Volunteer Fire Department, which submitted a letter announcing it intends to launch a new Quick Response Service. The department would provide initial response to emergency medical calls in the township when personnel from the local Citizens' Ambulance Service are not immediately available.

Bryan Palmer, second assistant chief, explained Citizens' has two local Immediate Response Personnel (IRP) who may be called from their homes to answer a medical call and stabilize a patient until an ambulance arrives at the scene. With QRS in place, the fire department would be able to respond whenever an IRP isn't available.

He explained a department rescue truck has been outfitted with about $1,300 worth of medical equipment needed to provide basic life support service. That includes oxygen and glucose supplies and an automated external defibrillator that can be used to revive a person suffering a heart attack.

Whenever the truck answers a QRS call, it would have at least one certified emergency medical technician (EMT) on board, he said.

Palmer said the fire department hopes to begin offering the service before the end of the year, a move he said was supported by Citizens' and the township supervisors. Under an agreement with the ambulance company, he said Citizens' would pay the department $30 each for up to two EMTs responding to each QRS call.

While QRS is offered in Allegheny and Armstrong counties, "We're trying to be the first in Indiana County to do it," Palmer said. He added that the Black Lick department is "kind of in a race" with its counterpart in Cherryhill Township, which also is considering adding the service.

"I think it's a great idea," Burrell Supervisor Tony Distefano said of the local department's bid for QRS status. "I think it's going to strengthen the company and encourage people to get their EMT (certification)."

Palmer indicated the Black Lick department's roster of 35 active members currently includes 13 EMTs and paramedics and the number of firefighters qualified to man QRS calls should increase to about 25 upon completion of a CPR class scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at the fire hall.

At that point, he said the firefighters will apply to the state Department of Health to have their rescue truck licensed for basic life support calls, a process he hopes will be completed within 45 days.

The Black Lick Fire Department and its auxiliary also announced they will play host to a visit from Santa Claus Dec. 20. He is expected to arrive at the hall on a fire truck at 1 p.m. and remain until 3 p.m. to greet children under the age of 14.

Black Lick resident Jean Glass expressed concern about what she sees as a growing crime problem in the township, citing drug activity and break-ins, including an attempted burglary on the day of the town's Halloween activities. She complained that state police often don't respond promptly.

"It's not a safe situation," she said. "I'm concerned about the elderly people. How are they going to protect themselves? I think the subject should be addressed."

Les Henry said the supervisors would look into her concerns.

Commenting on the issue after the meeting, Shields said he believes that drug activity is not more prevalent in the community than in past years. But he observed that there has been a progression in the types of drugs seen throughout the area, with heroin and crack cocaine replacing marijuana.

At the same time, he said he believes state police response has improved in the township, while noting that troopers must prioritize calls from throughout the county based on urgency.

In other matters, the township received word that Rosebud Mining is seeking a revised state air quality permit to cover a planned increase in activity at its Tom's Run site on Devinney Hollow Road. According to documents submitted to the township and the state Department of Environmental Protection, the company wants to increase its annual "raw coal throughput" at the site from 500,000 tons to 750,000 tons.

The supervisors thanked the local WyoTech automotive school for donating 11 bike racks that will be placed at the township's Burrell, Saylor and Josephine parks. Four other racks offered by the school are being passed along to nearby Homer City Borough, Shields said.

With snow removal duties just around the corner, the supervisors reminded residents to keep township roads clear of vehicles, garbage cans, basketball hoops or other objects that could obstruct plows.

The township office will be closed on Thursday, for Thanksgiving Day, and on Nov. 30, for the first day of deer season.

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