Issuu

the

CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–144th YEAR, NO. 2

White Haven rolls garbage fees into general fund in 2023 budget by Ruth Isenberg White Haven Borough residents will no longer pay a garbage collection fee, starting in January. They will, however, see a 2.5 mill increase in real estate taxes to offset the expense. Borough council made the change as part of the 2023 budget approved for advertisement during a special meeting on Monday, December 5. The $973,877 general fund budget and $8,132 liquid fuels budget will be considered for final adoption at the council meeting on December 19. As proposed, real estate taxes will generate $450,000 of revenue. Other sources of revenue include $10,000 real estate transfer tax, $12,000 delinquent real estate taxes, $95,000 earned

income tax, $11,000 local services tax, $11,700 cable TV francise fees, $30,000 fines and forfeits, $77,050 rents and royalties (primarily cell tower rental), $1,800 Penn Lake fire protection, $27,500 Dennison Township police protection and $108,000 Foster Township police protection, $17,000 snow plowing contract, and $75,000 water contract. The borough pays approximately $11,000 per month for garbage collection. By moving this expense to the general fund, the borough will save the cost of software, which would have cost about $8,000 to upgrade this year, as well as quarterly postage and labels, and collection costs for delinquent accounts, said borough manager Linda Szoke.

The borough will continue to pursue the delinquent accounts, which are nearly $20,000. Council member Bob Lamson suggested filing criminal charges for theft of services against outstanding delinquent customers. While most of the millage increase will pay for garbage collection, 10 to 15% will go toward increased costs for fuel, electricity, and other expenses. Szoke suggested money collected on delinquent accounts be put into the borough’s reserve fund, hit this year to pay for higher expenses. Voting in favor of both budgets on Monday were council members Charlie Best, John Klem, Lamson, Zane Writer, and John Zugarek. Council member Harvey Morrison voted no, and council member Mike D’Agostino was absent.

SINGLE COPY– 75¢ (USPS 277440)

CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–143rd YEAR, NO. 28

BEAUTIFUL QUILTS, art and craft vendors, baked goods, raffle baskets and a meet-the-vendor drawing were highlights of the White Haven Area Community Library’s annual quilt show. The event was held both at the library, above, and at The Victorian Connection, 231 Wilkes-Barre Street. Turn to page 11 for more photos. JH: Ruth Isenberg

No tax increase in Weatherly; garbage fee raised by Ruth Isenberg The Weatherly Borough budget approved for advertisement during the November 22 meeting council meeting does not raise taxes, although it

does include a $5 increase in garbage fees, from $25 to $30 per month. Mayor Paul Hadzick noted that at a recent mayors’ meeting, Weatherly was the only community not planning a tax increase.

The $6,384,567 budget will be presented for final adoption at the regular December council meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. on Monday, December 28. Borough manager Harold Pudliner will send letters to

local banks seeking rates for a tax anticipation note, for consideration in January. Also in January, the borough will resume including copies of the borough newsletter with utility bills. Council member

Norm Richie requested the change; earlier this year the decision was made to post the newsletter on the website only.