Robert Tomkavage
The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
SCOTT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Scott Twp. voters narrowly passed a referendum Tuesday that will raise property taxes by 1 mill to help pay for local ambulance service.
More than 53% of voters, 1,596 of 2,976 , voted in favor of the tax hike, according to unofficial results.
The township was among four municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania that featured referendum questions on Tuesday’s general election ballot.
The Scott Twp. supervisors learned in August that Justus Volunteer Fire Company’s EMS and ambulance service was running a deficit of roughly $10,000, said board Chairman Michael Giannetta.
The deficit was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an emergency medical technician being on duty during the day, he said.
The extra mill, which will generate about $48,000 a year, will add about $15 annually to the tax bill of homeowners whose property is assessed at $15,000, Giannetta said. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 in assessed property value.
In Pike County, Milford Borough and Milford Twp. voters overwhelmingly favored a 2-mill property tax increase to support ambulance and rescue services.
More than 80% of people, 477 of 589, voted in favor of the tax increase in Milford Borough, and 679 of 930, or 73%, people voted in favor of the tax increase in Milford Twp., according to unofficial results.
Voters in Wyoming County’s Mehoopany Twp. passed a referendum to allow businesses to apply for liquor licenses. According to unofficial results, 292 of 448, or 65%, people voted in favor of the referendum.
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