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Irvona Boro expects balanced budget
Friday, November 06, 2009
By Terry Whetstone Staff Writer
IRVONA - It seems to be a trend this year that budgets are passed without a tax increase. Once again, that is the case as Irvona Borough Council adopted the budget last night with no increase.
The proposed budget will see expected revenue of $102,700 and after making some changes, the expenses will be $96,287 giving the borough a cushion of $6,413.
Prior to the final budget totals, council discussed employee salaries and decided to give Maintenance Supervisor Don McCulley a 50-cent-per-hour raise, effective Jan. 1. Council also voted to give McGarvey a $25-per-month raise, which is approximately equivalent to what McCulley will receive each month.
Bob Shomo also suggested that all comp time be used within the pay period in which it is accumulated; it cannot be carried over from one pay to another. That was put into a motion and it carried unanimously.
The borough will also get $18,336.18 in liquid fuels and it will all be spent. Shomo made the motion to adopt the budget, with a second from Herman Smith and it carried.
Council heard from Justin Oshall, who was visiting to hopefully settle a dispute with the borough over his property line.
Oshall had a copy of the survey he had done on the ground and in turn Mayor John Patterson presented Oshall with a copy of an easement.
The dispute was over the borough cutting some trees and dumping some fill on the Oshall property, which was done at the request of the Army Corps of Engineers to help with the flood protection plan in the borough; however, the parcel of land on which the work was done belongs to Oshall and his wife, Bobbi Jo.
The easement gives council permission to use the land as it deems necessary to protect the borough from flooding. It was purchased from Frank Tiesi Dec. 11, 1961, for $1.
Oshall said he wasn't aware of the easement and the former owner never told him about it.
Both parties were satisfied when the discussion ended.
Council also looked at the possibility of finding a new solicitor after receiving a letter from current attorney Andrew Gates, saying that he was increasing his rates to $145 per hour.
Council had asked Secretary/Treasurer Joanne McGarvey to look into the costs for other solicitors and she presented that information last night.
McGarvey said several solicitors she called were not interested, but then she tracked down one who was.
Patrick Fanelli with Andrews and Beard Law Firm, Altoona, said the cost will be $120 an hour, and for major issues, such as court, the cost would be $150 an hour. Shomo made the motion to go with Fanelli, while Smith offered a second, and the motion passed unanimously.
Council looked at a revised trash ordinance and voted to accept it to allow Gates to finish it up before the end of the year. The motion was made by Bill Collins to accept the revisions as presented. Smith offered a second. The motion carried a 4-1 vote, with Collins, Smith, Margaret McCoy, council president, and Mike Clarkson in favor. Shomo abstained from the vote, stating he hasn't had a chance to read over the ordinance and would not vote on it until he could do so.
In other business, council:
l heard from Tim and Candace Whetstone, who were seeing what steps needed to be followed to abandon an alley. Council looked at the old map and noted the alley did exist at one time and has never been abandoned.
The Orthodox Church has built a social hall on the alley and there are trees in the middle of it.
The Whetstones want to build a garage. McGarvey said they will be responsible for the costs and it takes about three months to complete. The Whetstones said they will pay those fees.
l was invited by Donna Morrison, president of the Irvona Heritage Society to a book signing tomorrow from 1-4 p.m. at the historical society. She noted that John Soss was born and raised in Irvona before moving, and he wrote a book about the borough. He will be on hand to sign and sell books.
l heard from Cheryl Collins, president of the Irvona Holiday Decorating Committee, seeking help to put the Christmas lights up next week, weather permitting. Council said McCulley will help.
l was informed that Morrison and Cheryl Collins wrote a grant for the borough through the Pennsylvania Wilds Signage Grant for a "Welcome to Irvona" sign.
l had a report from Patterson on the new bridge project, which is to be advertised in March and construction should be able to start by May.
l was informed someone is interested in purchasing the old TYK site and plans call for an indoor motorcross track. Should it work out, the site will be expanded and could include more buildings and even an outdoor arena.
l will send a reply to the Rev. Gerald W. Spaid pertaining to the latest letter he has sent to the borough.
l received a letter from Terry Lender noting his intentions to continue serving on the Irvona Municipal Authority. Council said it has not been advertised yet and will do so along with advertising an anticipated Beccaria-Coalport-Irvona Municipal Authority vacancy.
l accepted the 2010 fire contract with Irvona Fire Co. for $4,800 for the next year.
l received a letter of displeasure from a resident because trick-or-treat night was changed due to the weather.
The letter said parents can make the call if they want their children in the rain or not. The resident also asked for an apology for postponing it and they didn't know it. Patterson said he spoke with other members of council before making the call and he felt the word got around fairly well.
Also, council said contrary to what the letter said, it was not changed to keep the Coalport children from participating.
l approved the Gallaher subdivision.
l received a thank-you card from Mike and Cindy Ferrance for the donation toward the annual Harvestfest.
l heard a paving project is being done today to correct a drainage problem.
l was informed McCulley said he has gotten the park winterized and has put certain equipment away for the winter.
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