Montgomery Supervisors Propose $11.8M Budget, No Tax Increase

The general fund for 2013 will have a $6,000 surplus

Montgomery Township Supervisors Monday approved advertisement of an $11.8 million budget, with no tax increase for 2013, and a $6,160 surplus. The budget will be adopted at the Dec. 17 meeting. Montgomery Township has not had a tax increase for more than nine years. In 2006, supervisors reduced the millage rate from 1.61 mills to 1.49 mills. Homestead exemption remains at $30,000. Finance Director Shannon Drosnock said more than 75 percent of property owners participate in the homestead exemption program, totaling $308,000 in annual tax relief. Total revenues in the 2013 budget are 3.4 percent higher than in 2012 — $11,872,320 compared to $11,481,685. Of those total revenues, $9.5 million are tax revenues, which are up 2.9 percent from …

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Foreclosure Dogs

Lisa Loper of the Scott Loper Team looks at the unexpected victims of the foreclosure mess

A very sad unexpected victim of the recent housing and economic downturn are pets.  According to a report by MSNBC, the number of dogs left at shelters by loving owners has rose 25 fold in the last few years.  “Their pet is the last thing someone wants to give up,” said a spokesman for the Humane Society. But difficult financial times and people losing their homes has forced many pet owners to give up their animals as the owners move into apartments or with family.  And as financial aid and donations to animal shelters has dropped, the shelters are feeling the pinch. What can you do?  If you are thinking about getting a dog or a cat, consider visiting a local shelter.  Mixed breeds do make wonderful pets, but for anyone seeking a pure bred…

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Furry Critters

Brothers Seeking a Home

Mark and Marshall are 10-week-old neutered male kittens ready for adoption.

Here are our Pets of the Week Mark and Marshall are two of a litter of five kittens available through Stray Cat Blues, a volunteer based, nonprofit organization located at PetSmart in North Wales.  Mark is a gray tabby with white feet, unlike his brother, Marshall, who is almost a complete tabby. Both kittens are 10-week-old males who are neutered and up-to-date on all vaccinations, with the exception of their rabies shots, as those don't start until the kittens are 12 weeks old. “They come in, and the first thing with a new intake is they are tested for FIV and given their distempers,” said Marie Beltz, a volunteer who fosters the kittens until they're adopted. Anyone wishing to adopt a cat from Stray Cat Blues needs to go through a …

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Furry Critters

It's Easy Being Weezy

This week's Pet of the Week is a 2-year-old female found with her sibling behind a restaurant.

Here is our Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch Pet of the Week. Louise, Weezy for short, is a female black cat with a few small patches of white fur.  She is spayed and up-to-date on all of her shots. “Weezy was found behind a restaurant with her sibling,” said Noni Tower, a volunteer at Stray Cat Blues. “Her sibling has been adopted, but Louise is still here. It's harder to get the older cats adopted.” While Weezy is 2-years-old, she is still very frisky for her age. Multiple volunteers mentioned that she was playful just like a kitten. “Anyone who meets Weezy can see she's very lovable,” said Marie Cavallaro, another Stray Cat Blues volunteer. “She has a beautiful coat and loves to be groomed.” When the cats are picked up for adoption, they …

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Furry Critters for You

Diego and Frisco are looking for a nice place to call home.

Here are our pets of the week looking for a good home. Diego and Frisco are two 14-week-old kittens available through Stray Cat Blues, a volunteer based, non-profit organization located at PetSmart in Montgomery Township. Both kittens are spayed/neutered and up to date on all vaccinations, in addition to being micro-chipped.  “We can't bring them in unless they're ready to go,” said Judy Gross, a volunteer who also provides a foster home for the kittens until they are adopted.  Frisco, a white kitten with tabby spots, and Diego, a full tabby cat, were both born with curled-in eyelids, but thanks to Stray Cat Blues, they were given corrective eyelid surgery and can now live a normal life with full vision and no discomfort. Anyone wishing to…

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Five Things to Know Today

Yes, it's the end of the weekend. But there's much to look forward to today to forget about Monday

1. The Bel Canto Children’s Chorus performs its 18th annual spring concert at Zion Mennonite Church, 149 E. Cherry Lane, Souderton from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Accompanist is Andrea Berntsen and directors are Joy Hirokawa and Kirsten Olson 2. Walk MS takes place at North Penn High School today at 10 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. There is a $25 minimum donation for all participants ages 12 and older. 3. Stray Cat Blues Rescue holds an adoption event from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at PetSmart in the Target Shopping Center, 145 Witchwood Dr., Montgomery Township. Visit www.straycatblues.org for more information. 4. Get yourself out to Delaware Valley College and enjoy the last day of A-Day, the 62nd year of educating and entertaining the …

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Five Things to Know Today

Cat adoptions at PetsMart, Girl Scout shredding event and a free organic breakfast

1. Arnold’s Way Organic Raw Food Café, 319 W. Main St., Lansdale, holds a free breakfast and lecture on mindful eating from 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. The event includes a free green smoothie. Call Arnold’s Way at (215) 361-0116. 2. Lansdale Little League holds its Opening Day celebration at around noon at Moyer’s Road Park. The event was postponed from last Saturday due to rain. 3. Molly Maguire’s Pub, 329 W. Main St., Lansdale, will giveaway two Phillies' tickets at 8:30 p.m. on its patio. Tickets are for the April 30 game against the Mets. 4. Girl Scout Troop 7258 will hold an Earth Day 2011 Shred Event from 9 a.m. to noon at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley Forge Road and Main Street, Lansdale. The troop is raising money for a trip to …

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