Forks Township Opposes Easton Commuter Tax Plan
Forks Township Supervisors will send letter to Easton saying that residents are complaining about the proposed commuter tax.
Forks Township officials don't believe their input matters.
That's the feeling shared by the Forks Township Board of Supervisors Thursday night regarding a commuter tax proposed by Easton.
"I don't want to get into a food fight with Easton over this," Supervisor David Billings said. "It would be a big mistake."
Mayor Sal Panto said Easton is considering the new tax on commuters who live outside the city but work there to deal with financial challenges over the next two years, including $27 million in payments on lawsuits and a drastic increase in pension plans.
Easton has scheduled a public hearing on the matter for April 25.
The new tax -- a suggested 1.75 percent -- would also include city government employees who don't live within Easton. City residents already pay the same rate.
Billings suggested, though, that Forks Township, through Township Manager John Cornell, send a letter of concern and objection.
"We could write a letter," Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said. "I had a half-dozen people just furious over this. We can pass it on that we are concerned about it being implemented. I doubt they're going to do anything about it."
Billings said the township should draft a "simple letter" that our residents are complaining.
"It's not under our control and we don't want to go down this road," Billings said. "With the public hearing next week, our timing is perfect."
WILFREDO G. SALCEDO, Sr.
8:48 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Tax the big businesses in town instead...The commuters have their hands full with expensive gasoline among others already.
Carolyn
3:22 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The city where we work - any city - provides services to protect us while we are at work. Does the fire department save only residents? Do the police respond to calls from just residents? No. If I live in Forks because of my choice and work in Easton because of my choice, why shouldn't I pay for the services that I expect to receive while at work?
Molly
5:54 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The City of Easton already collects a $50 OPT from workers to cover the services you mentioned Carolyn (this is $40 higher than surrounding municipalities whom charge a $10 OPT to cover services).
The .75% EIT that the City of Easton is proposing is *only* for pension payments, nothing else. The EIT will not cover any of the services you mentioned Carolyn.
Maybe the City should institue that City employees (whom are receiving a pension from the City) should have to live in the City. Now that makes sense.