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MINUTES FROM THE SPECIAL MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL NOVEMBER 29, 2004 There was a special meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Adam Dries presiding. MEMBERS PRESENT: Adam Dries, Tammy Wilkinson, Jeanette Heckman, Charles Figard, Martha Bertolet MEMBERS ABSENT: Tina Yoder and Dale Schlenker ALSO PRESENT: Manager Lynda G. Albright, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary-Office Manager VISITORS: Nikki Murry (Hamburg Item), James Gilmartin, Norma Berger, Heather Breininger, Pat Delong, Kerry Delong, Moises Arce, Reading Eagle Representative A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the agenda. ROLL CALL: AYES A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard NAYES None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to give tentative approval to the 2005 budget in the amount of $2,482,600.ROLL CALL: AYES A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard NAYES None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to authorize the Borough Manager to prepare and advertise the 2005 Tax Ordinance at 4.5 mills, this is a .5 mill increase.Discussion: Norma Berger questioned why there needed to be a tax increase and if the budget reflected that. Manager Albright stated that it was suggested that it be advertised with a ½ mill increase but hopefully it will not come to that. Manager Albright stated that the borough has 30 days to make revisions to the advertised budget. Mr. Arce questioned why the borough couldnt live within our means and there are a lot of older people on fixed incomes. Manager Albright stated that the figures are being reworked. Councilwoman Wilkinson stated that a neutral party would be working with Manager Albright to help rework the figures. Mr. Arce stated that the borough should be able to do this without a tax increase. Manager Albright stated that the budget would be available for review in the office starting Tuesday, November 30, 2004. As far as the line of credit, it was stated that the line of credit was used for a lot more than just capital improvements. Mrs. Pat Delong stated that the scoreboard should never have come out of the line of credit. It has a Ford dealerships name on it and instead of being paid by borough funds, fundraisers should have been held and no ones name except the Borough of Hamburg should have been put on it. Councilwoman Bertolet stated that she would agree to the advertising of the ordinance but sincerely hopes that taxes will not be increased. ROLL CALL: AYES A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard NAYES None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Martha Bertolet to purchase a 10-ton dump truck for use by the Borough Crew through the state contract. (Discussion: Councilwoman Wilkinson questioned what the interest rate would be? Manager Albright stated that she did not have the information yet, but the financing is through the is through the state leasing option.) ROLL CALL: AYES A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard NAYES None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson authorizing the Borough Manager and Solicitor to prepare and advertise an ordinance dealing with increasing the OPT from $10.00/yr to $52/yr. to become effective January, 2005, pending signature by the Governor. ROLL CALL: AYES A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard NAYES None There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. on motion of Martha Bertolet and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson.Attest: KIM Y. BERGER, OFFICE MANAGER |
