Damascus in 2003

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS, PA — The Township of Damascus has to keep a stricter control over its budget in 2003.

In 2002, the township was running $200,000 over its estimated budget and had to borrow money. The same thing has been happening for three years, according to township supervisor Stan Kuta.

“We can’t allow this to keep happening,” he said.

The township will have to cut back, but it wasn’t clear how or where, whether to cut capital projects or to cut labor.

“The three of us supervisors have to sit down and have a hard discussion,” Kuta said.

Over the past two years, the township has spent $100,000 each year for equipment.

“You can’t be using a pick and shovel to keep these roads in shape,” he said. “We have very demanding people who expect the best from us.”

All three supervisors are conscious that they must keep taxes down.

Over the past two years, the township has had to purchase a rock crusher, two back-hoes and three trucks.

“I suspect that all the townships are experiencing this kind of thing,” he said.

During the past year, residents at meetings asked that the supervisors come up with a maintenance plan for the roads, stating who would repair what road and when.

Each of the three supervisors, Kuta, Larry Newport and Bill Gager, are road masters with supervision over certain roads.

Kuta also said that the planning commission has to ensure that there will be enough open spaces as the township grows.

“It’s important to know how we’re going to use our land,” he said. “We want to maintain and preserve the rural quality of our township without stopping growth, so it’s important to see that our zoning works for the benefit of the township.”