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Authorities: 7 special-needs teens regularly locked in closet by adoptive mother

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Luzerne County projects receive nearly $2 million in state funds

<p>HANOVER TWP. &#8212; For the sixth consecutive year, residents of Hanover Township aren&#8217;t facing a tax increase.</p><p>The $16.3 million balanced budget for 2017 is up $2.1 million from the 2016 township budget. According to township Manager Sam Guesto, the increase is thanks to a bigger loan for the <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/584334/construction-on-hanover-townships-new-firestation-begins" target="_blank">construction of the consolidated firehouse on Sans Souci Parkway</a> and a new grant, which added new money.</p><p>The budget was proposed at the Nov. 14 meeting of the commissioners. They will have the final vote during the Dec. 15 meeting.</p><p>The current tax rate, which is not expected to change, is 5.5 mils, and reflects all municipal services, including administration, code, police, fire and road maintenance. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.</p><p>&#8220;There are no extra fees for garbage (pickup) in the township,&#8221; Guesto said, noting it falls under the road maintenance category.</p><p>The general fund revenue is expected to bring in $5.5 million, or 34.1 percent of the overall budget.</p><p>The township is expected to carry-over of $300,000 from 2016 and the sewer fund is expected to bring in close to $400,000 more than last year.</p><p>Also factored in to the revenue portion of the budget are state and federal grants, including $1 million for the construction of the firehouse and $778,350 for two local share account grants for <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/564534/solomon-creek-sewage-line-repair-nearly-complete" target="_blank">sewer line replacement</a>. The grants and loans are expected to bring in $5.57 million or 34 percent of the total budget.</p><p>The largest expenditure of the budget, besides the employee benefits, is the public works department. The township has 12 laborers and three foremen, which take up $652,000 of expenditures. The township&#8217;s road supervisor has a salary of $61,280.</p><p>The new budget includes the position of sanitary sewer compliance officer, which was awarded to former commissioner Michael Mazur in August. His salary is set at $56,000.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Melanie Mizenko</p><p>mmizenko@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>If you go&#8230;</p><p>What: Hanover Township Board of Commissioner&#8217;s final 2016 meeting</p><p>When: Dec. 15</p><p>Time: 7 p.m.</p><p>Where: Hanover Township municipal building, Sans Souci Parkway</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko</p></shirttailMeta></div>

No tax hike for Hanover Township residents