Masontown council approves budget with no tax increase
MASONTOWN — Borough council adopted a $1.1 million balanced budget and tax ordinance that does not include a tax increase for next year.
Council members unanimously voted in favor of both measures Tuesday.
In addition to the $1.1 million general fund, the budget includes a $1.3 million water fund, $693,300 sewer fund and a $370,000 highway aid fund.
The tax ordinance maintains the current real estate tax rate of 3.426 mills.
In unrelated business, engineer Bill Johnson said crews will install the connection between the borough water system and Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority system today.
The connection is one of the last steps in the plan for the borough to buy water in bulk for its residents and customers from the authority and close the borough’s 100-year-old water plant.
Council approved payment of a $5,314 invoice from the authority for a water meter with a remote reader for the project.
In other business:
n Council agreed to buy a blue candle for about $100 and display it in the borough building lobby to show support for law enforcement officers.
n Council agreed to accept donations next year to help pay for Christmas lights.
n Mayor Toni Petrus said she is planning to meet with officials from Somerset Trust about possibly opening an office in the borough.