Incoming business to West Deer and existing ones that plan to make changes or expansions will most likely have to pay a nominal fee.

Supervisors adopted an impact fee that is meant to generate money for projects like new intersections, traffic lights and road repairs but haven't set a rate. The impact fee is a one-time fee that only new businesses and existing businesses that make expansions or changes will have to pay.

Businesses that don't plan to make any changes to their facilities will not be affected.

Chairwoman Shirley Hollibaugh said the amount of the fee will be set at the commissioners' April 9 meeting.

The amount of the fee has been speculated to be between $10 and $374 per square foot.

Hollibaugh said she couldn't say for sure what the fee would be, but said she is sure it will be more than $10.

Most supervisors agreed that imposing too high of a fee would deter outside businesses from setting up in the township, which would result in losing potential money in taxes.

"Nobody wants to pay it," West Deer code enforcement officer Gary Bogan said.

Although Bogan said some business owners are OK with paying the one-time fee, West Deer resident Josh Wiegand said he also supports an impact fee for business owners to prevent burdening taxpayers with the cost of expensive projects, such as new traffic lights that can cost more than $100,000.

"I as a taxpayer, I don't want to foot that bill for $100,000," Wiegand said.

Supervisor Gerry Vaerewyck said that, even at $374 per square foot, the money generated from the impact fee would only equal a fraction of the money needed for the township's impact projects. He would rather have the township seem more business friendly.

Replacement recycling bins will now cost township residents $10.

After spending more than $5,000 to buy about 500 new recycling bins, supervisors agreed to cover the cost by charging residents for replacement bins.

New residents will not be charged for recycling bins.

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