Mount Carbon approves budget, raises taxes

Republican & Herald (Pottsville, PA)

Jan. 15--MOUNT CARBON -- At its first meeting of 2017, the borough council decided to approve a spending plan for the year and raise taxes.

In January 2016, the council raised the real estate tax millage rate from 7 mills, or $7 for every $1,000 of assessed property value, to 8 mills, according to the newspaper's archives.

On Wednesday night at the meeting hall at 1108 S. Centre St., the council decided to hike the millage to 9.5 mills, or $9.50 for every $1,000 of assessed property.

"Winter maintenance. Street maintenance. And actually insurance as well," Councilwoman Michelle L. Stephenson said Wednesday, offering reasons why the tax increase was required.

The budget was balanced at $39,400.

Expenses include $10,000 for insurance, $4,280 for winter maintenance and $275 for street maintenance, according to the copy approved at Wednesday night's meeting.

The budget was approved by the three members of the council, Stephenson, Jennifer Raess and Alice Breslin. Raess is the council president.

Mayor Brandon M. Wentz was ill and not present at Wednesday's meeting.

In November, the borough Secretary/Treasurer Susan B. McCord resigned, according to Stephenson.

"It was for personal reasons. She wanted more time with her family," Stephenson said Wednesday night.

At Wednesday night's meeting, the council hired Christine M. Romanko, Saint Clair, to fill the post. Romanko's annual salary will be $3,900, Stephenson said.

In other matters, borough Fire Chief Joseph Moore invited the council to hold its meetings at the new Mount Carbon Fire Company building at 122 Main St.

On Oct. 4, 2013, a fire destroyed a vacant home at 118 Main St., which was owned by Tracey E. Craig, Coatesville, Chester County. It also destroyed 116 Main St., home of Linda McElvaney, and 120 Main St., the headquarters of Mount Carbon-North Manheim Township Fire Company No. 1 and the Mount Carbon Borough Council.

The fire company owned 120 Main St., according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.

In May 2014, the borough became the owner of 118 Main St., and in June 2014, the borough became owner of 116 Main St., according to the parcel locator.

It took the fire company two and a half years to make arrangements to build the new fire house. In October 2015, the fire company signed a contract with Miller Brothers Construction Inc., Schuylkill Haven, to work on the building project.

In February 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony was held.

"We invite you back to the fire company to hold your meetings," Moore told the council at its meeting Wednesday.

But Stephenson said the council is unable to return there immediately.

"I already advertised that this is the meeting space," Stephenson said, referring to 1108 S. Centre St., Pottsville.

Stephenson was not sure if the council would have the funds to properly advertise a new legal notice.

Since that Oct. 4, 2013, blaze destroyed the borough's headquarters, the council moved to a temporary location, a building on the south end of 1108 S. Centre St., owned by Pottsville Building Block Co. And the council has a temporary lease there, according to the newspaper's archives.

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