Kutztown Borough Council approved the proposed 2017 budget with no tax increase. Water and sewer rates are proposed to increase 5 percent.
Borough treasurer and manager Gabriel Khalife presented the proposed 2017 budget to Borough Council on Nov. 15. The real estate tax is proposed to remain the same but there will be a 5 percent increase for both the water and sewage rates. Council approved the proposed budget and authorized its advertisement, making the budget available for public inspection.
According to Khalife, no significant changes were made, however, the 2017 budget requires less capital items. The mil rate remains unchanged at 4.1 mills.
While the water and sewer budgets include a 5 percent rate increase, the electric rates are unchanged since 2012.
The borough was able to balance the budget while avoiding a tax increase because the department heads and workforce perform a lot of in-house work and repairs, rather than contracting the work out and stay within the budget’s means, said Khalife.
“I would like to thank the department heads and administrative staff for their individual and collective input and efforts in the budget process and Borough Council’s and the Mayor’s support to meet the community’s needs,” said Khalife.
Future projects include expanding the borough’s decorative lights by one block and the demolition of 15 Railroad St.
The final budget will be approved at the Kutztown Borough Council meeting on Dec. 20.
Borough Council member Derek Mace, chair of the finance and electric committee, introduced an advertisement of the proposed Ordinance amending the Code of the Borough of Kutztown. The Ordinance repeals a portion of Article VII, Chapter 200, more specifically Sections 200-60 to 200-68, entitled “Residential Rental Tax.” The council approved Mace’s motion. There were no comments.
In other news, Charles Leibensperger was honored for his 19 years of dedication as Kutztown Fire Chief. There were no comments.
Several actions were also taken under public works.
The council moved to approve the purchase of enough Ice B’ Gone, a liquid product, to treat 150 tons of salt at a cost of $30 per ton.
Jeri Carroll, chair of the environmental advisory commission, supports the purchase. According to Carroll, Ice B’ Gone is the only legal ice melt that can be used in New York near a water shed.
“The bio oxygen levels are lower than rotting vegetation, the phosphorous levels are really good and the PH is good. I have a lot of information, and I think I would be fine with this product if you wanted to do a test,” said Carroll.
According to an Ice B’ Gone representative speaking at the meeting, there are several benefits to their product. Benefits of Salt B’ Gone are that it works up to -35 degrees, and will allow distributors to use 35-50 percent less salt. The product also does not require direct light to work and will in turn be able to prevent hazards such as black ice. Ice B’ Gone is also noncorrosive, which will prevent unnecessary damage to concrete.
The council approved the purchase of Ice B’ Gone as a test to see how the product will work for the Borough.
The council approved the Kutztown Community Partnership’s parade permit application for the Christmas in Kutztown event to be held on Dec. 3.
Council awarded the bid received from Quality Disposal for 2017 yard waste and dumpster service, in the amount of $20,000, conditional upon review of all paperwork. Also, a third payment to EJB Paving for the East Main Street Improvements project, in the amount of $308,003.51 was approved.
The request from the Silverbacks Rugby Club to use the Park Multipurpose Field for their 2017 spring season was also approved.
A $500 donation to the Berks County Solid Waste Authority was approved, which is a recurring donation, and a $500 donation to the Animal Rescue League, which is made on a yearly basis.
Also under public works, council authorized an advertisement of the proposed resolution amending refuse rates.
Under community development and public safety, in September 2016, District Justice Greth collected $10,717.73 in fines. Also in September, Clerk of Common Pleas collected $390.94 in fees. In October 2016, the Secretary’s Office collected $6,000 in fees.
In other news under community development and public safety, council approved the one-year lease agreement option for the Community Development Office, located at 324 West Main Street and agreed to waive the electrical and plumbing permit fees for the Kutztown Community Library during its remodel.
“Over the years, we try to do little things for the library to help them out,” Mace said.
Also, Council authorized the Borough Solicitor to work with the Police Chief and Director of Community Development to improve the Borough Litter Ordinances.
Under personnel, the borough appointed Dennis Hassler as Water Department Crew Leader and hired Sharon Dalickas, as an Office Clerk, dependent upon her passing all required background checks.
Council also reappointed Donald Sechler as a member of the Kutztown Municipal Authority, his term will expire Dec. 1, 2021, and Enos Bleiler as a member of the Kutztown Transportation Authority, with a term to expire on Dec. 1, 2021.
In other news, under telecommunications and information technologies, the borough approved to the “Expanded Basic TV” package and “TiVo Bundles” that include Expanded Basic TV, by $5 each, starting with the December billing for January services.
Borough also approved the Tribune Broadcasting contract for WPHL 17 and WGNA.
Edwin Seyler of the committee temporarily withdrew his proposal for the approval of the purchase and installation of a Lakeside Screen, in an amount to be determined. The screen costs an approximate $104,000, the current screen has lasted about 20 years, and the screen comes with an installation fee of about $18,000.
Seyler withdrew the proposal to allow more time to get quotes from contractors.
Khalife was authorized for the responsibility of awarding the labor of the installation to the contractor with the lowest quote.
In other news, there is a member vacancy on the code appeals board, along with an alternate vacancy. On the zoning hearing board there are two alternate vacancies, on the borough planning commission there are two member vacancies. There is also one member vacancy on the housing license appeals board along with three alternate vacancies. There is one member vacancy on the telecommunications advisory commission.
