Miscellaneous

The Skippack Township supervisors have approved a budget for next year without raisng property taxes.   The spending plan totals about $3,000,000 and projects an $80,000 surplus.   The budget includes the purchase of a generator for the township building as well as the construction of new trails at Church Road Park.   There has not been a property tax increase in Skippack Township for 13 years.

West Norriton Township officials have approved a budget for next year.   The spending plan totals about $11,000,000 and does not raise property taxes.   That means a homeowner with property assessed at the West Norriton average of $119,000 will continue to pay the township $415 in real estate taxes.   Township officials held the line by deferring some capital projects and making cuts in health insurance costs.   They also found budget reductions in police overtime and legal expenses.

Bucks County firefighters made quick work of a blaze at a house on Aquetong Road in Solebury Township Friday.   No one was hurt but the two-and-a-half story home sustained smoke and heat damage.   The cause of the fire remains under investigation.   The New Hope Eagle Fire Company, the Midway Fire Company and the Lambertville Rescue Squad responded to the emergency situation.

U-S Representative Allyson Schwartz issued the following statement Friday after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut:

"My hearfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.   This senseless and horrifying act of violence resulted in the loss of innocent lives, including many young children.  

While nothing can relieve the pain of this tragedy, we can work to prevent these situations from happening again by engaging in a serious conversation about the issue of gun violence in our country.   Today is a day for mourning the loss of the victims and for coming together as Americans to provide support for the community."