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It’s time for the annual review of Council.

The public, especially those who don’t attend the meetings, isn’t always aware of what Council does, how it spends taxpayer money, or saves taxpayer money.

Council convened 18 times in 2018.

As I’ve said in previous writings, the “heavy work” is often done by our employees. Roads are plowed, curbs painted, debris removed, fields mowed, signs installed or replaced, and other tasks are done by our road crew of one, Dane Thatcher (though we try to get him a helper in the summer). This year, he was also given the tasks associated with getting the future police station presentable and performing repairs needed.

The job of ensuring the reports required at all levels of government are done, filling out grants paperwork (see the list, below), doing the job of a secretary, talking with vendors, updating the website and Facebook posts, dealing directly with the public, dealing with Right to Know Requests, keeping the office running, and being asked to look up information for those who can do it themselves, is a juggling act for Joan Heebner, our Borough Manager.

Senior Clerk David Gehman takes care of our receipts and billing, entering data, writing up Minutes of meetings, and other tasks that are assigned to him as needed.

I’d like to note Mayor DePaul this year, as well. There are times we have butted heads on procedural issues and it is often public at meetings, but he is a working Mayor who often finds a way to save money, or finding free items the borough needs (such as police radios and office equipment). One example is a $2500 donation he obtained from the NorCo DA’s Office for our future police department, not listed below.

What follows are gleamed from 2018 Minutes and from memory. Actual Motions made by Council and votes taken during 2018 will be shown in a future post.

• Millage rate remains unchanged at 11.7 for 2019
• Approved interim billing for real estate taxes of $5.00 or more owed.
• Donations made to Safety First VFC, Mary Meuser Library, Wilson Area Recreation Board, Suburban EMS, and West Easton Scholarship Fund.
• First Conditional Use Hearing of proposed Treatment Center held.
• New (2nd) Conditional Use Hearing of proposed Treatment Center held.
• Additional $5000 Grant received toward park sidewalk project.
• Sidewalks and ADA ramps installed along Gerald Gross Park.
• Approved repairs of police station building.
• Borough’s Storm/Sewer map drawings brought up-to-date.
• 125′ of guard rail replaced along Front & Third Streets.
• Municipal building roof stripped and new shingles installed.
• Completed required PennDOT inspection of trestles.
• Purchased assorted equipment needs for police department.
• Capital Reserve Fund infused with $115,482 .
• Power Washer purchased for road department.
• Two free police cars accepted (in storage, awaiting mech inspection).
• One police car purchased (fully loaded, road ready).
• Poison Sumac and weeds removed near park playground.
• $225,000 invested in PLGIT Fund.
• Final year of 3-year slurry seal project of borough roads completed.
• $10,000 Grant received for War Monument area improvements.
• New WWI Monument installed and re-dedicated.
• Summer Help worker (replacement) hired for Road Department.
• Computer Network Policy instituted for borough employees.
• Codification of Borough Ordinances continues.
• Joined membership in Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
• Approved Key Employee insurance.
• Spring Street alley trees trimmed along length.
• $11,625 Recycling Grant received (bins and covers coming in Spring).
• $31,440 Grant received from Gaming Authority.
• Obtained new service provider for Borough electric (15% savings).
• Sewer Rate Study approved.
• Emergency Management safety equipment approved.
• Havahart trap purchased for borough residents use.
• Borough receives all “paperwork” approvals for police department.
• $60,000 Grant applied toward Public Works Garage.
• Phase I of Public Works Garage completed (building erected).