Township Manager EJ Lee announced at the year-end New Hope Borough Council meeting that the 2019 budget’s millage rate has been set to the same as 2018, which translates to no change in tax collection rates for New Hope Borough.
The general fund millage is set at 8.08, fire protection fund at 1.85, the library at 0.545, and street lighting at 0.795. Grand total revenue receipts for 2019 are projected to be $3.95 million with no surplus or deficit.
A resolution to adopt millage passed unanimously, as was non-uniformed employee compensation. The manager’s salary was set at $113,300, the treasurer’s at $72,100 and administrative assistant at $52,960.13, with the three positions comprising the highest executive and administrative salaries of the borough government. The motions carried with full support
The borough budget for 2019 was adopted without dissent.
Appointments to various boards and committees to fill expiring terms were made. Among the appointments were Ed Duffy to the vacancy board, Dave Hansel to the zoning hearing board, Carolyn Chaiko and Dee Dee Bowman to the historic architectural review board, Tom Carroll to the UCC Board Of Appeals, Dan Dougherty to the civil service commission, Dan Brooks to the human relations commission, Frank DeLuca and Ron Gering to the shade tree commission, and Debbie Maisel and Sally Weisman to the parks and recreation board.
John Hover was appointed to the zoning hearing board and Jason Appuzio was appointed to the planning commission.
The sale of an old parking kiosk on the hill for $975, which Borough Councilman Dan Dougherty chimed in was “a fine piece of equipment” was approved within its currently estimated value. Mayor Larry Keller, referring to its depreciation, stated that it cost $13,000 five years ago.
A 13th and final escrow release for the Canal Street development project upon completion of punch list items was approved without dissent in the amount of $134,552.
Lee discussed a change order for the Main Street pedestrian project zoning hearing board application, including retaining brick in the sidewalk replacement, changing the timing of the project to include a temporary suspension so as not to interfere with businesses during the holiday season, and striping at Ferry and Main streets would add $16,710 to $173,395.
The project is partially funded by a $126,700 PennDOT grant leaving 10 percent of project cost on the borough. Brick runs the sidewalk around the corner of Mechanic and Main street and the original project estimate would have replaced it with concrete, necessitating the item in the change order.
