First Posted: 1/6/2015
WEST PITTSTON — At the Jan. 6 council meeting, the council approved the reappointment of borough workers and officers.
The council reappointed James Weber as borough Code Enforcement Officer and Zoning Oficer and also reappointed Atty. Joseph Burke as Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor.
Paul Porfirio was reappointed as Chief of Police, Anthony Denisco was reappointed as Emergency Managment Director and John Hood was recognized as Fire Chief of West Pittston Hose Co. No. 1.
Amongst the council itself, Atty Mark Bufalino was reappointed as borough solicitor while Ellen Riddle was reappointed as borough secretary and administrative secretary and Savino Bonita was reappointed as borough manager and treasurer.
The council also approved the following funds:
• General Fund prepaid bills, totaling $686,331.47.
• General Fund bills, totaling $40,905.12.
• Sewer Maintenance Fund prepaid bills, totaling $754.50.
• Sewer Maintenance Fund bills, totaling $2,027.50.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant (FEMA HMGP) prepaid bills, totaling $105,625.74.
The council approved the notion to adopt a resolution to confirm salaries and wages of certain West Pittston officials and employees for the 2015 years as per the adopted 2015 budget approved at a special meeting held on Dec. 23.
The adopted total budget stands at $7,623,201.86 which saw an increase in revenue from 3.00 mills to 3.2600 mills.
“The tax increase going from 3 mills to 3.26 mills is on a property assessed at $100,000,” said Bonita. “Property owners will see a $26 increase in their yearly taxes. Property assessed at $100,000 under the prior millage would have been paying $300 and in 2015 they’ll be paying $326.”
The current budget also retains all borough employees, meaning there were no layoffs and there was no reduction in services.
The sewer maintenance budget stands at $985,465 with no additional fee increase and will stand at $65 a quarter.
