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Christmas Worship Services, page 4

CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–144th YEAR, NO. 4

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CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–143rd YEAR, NO. 30

Penn Lake OKs budget with zero tax hike, small garbage fee increase by Suzanne Winters

LIGHTING UP THE SEASON: Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce’s Festival of Trees continues to provide a bright spot around the caboose in the shopping plaza. Photo by Precision Imagery

WAESP contract was long time coming by Seth Isenberg The Weatherly Area School Board approved the agreement with the Weatherly Area Education Support Personnel union after several months of negotiations. The contract is for three years, giving raises to the staff of $1.25 an hour

this school year, $1 an hour for the 2023-2024 year, and 75¢ an hour in the 20242025 year. Union members contribute a 3% of salary for healthcare this school year, 3.5% next and 4% in the 3rd year, capped at $1,600 in year 1, $1,700 in year 2 and $1,800 in the third year. Base rates for new full-

time hires were raised this year to $12 an hour for cafeteria workers, secretaries, and cleaning staff (formerly $8.79, $9.80 and $9.89 per hour respectively). Custodians were raised to $14.35, and district mechanic to $16.51. All of these positions will see the $1 raise for the See WASB, page 10

A dark, snowy evening did not keep the Penn Lake Borough Council from meeting December 15. A few brave residents ventured out to hear the brief work session and the monthly happenings. Prior to the night’s business, council president Paul Rogan offered condolences for another long time resident of the borough, Donna Martin, who passed away recently. The main task for this meeting was to pass the 2023 budget which was done by unanimous vote. Rogan asked the borough secretary if anyone had asked to see the budget, but she stated no one had. However, councilman John Burden noted he had read it online, as did this writer, so it should not be assumed no one has read it. The tax rate for 2023 remains unchanged at 4.6 mills. 2023’s garbage costs are up $2,145 to $81,617.76 for 2023. Resolution #5 of 2022 was passed to add $330 to each tax bill to cover garbage collection for 2023 — a slight increase.

With regard to the dam, the Emergency Action Plan needs to be updated every 5 years, and Penn Lake’s is now 8 years old. Borton Lawson Engineering was asked to submit a proposal for completing this, but they have not done so. Streamline Engineering did a proposal with a cost of $2,200 for the EAP and will also distribute it to all required emergency management agencies at an additional cost of $500. All members were in favor of Streamline completing the EAP at a total cost of $2,700. There was again discussion at both the work session and the regular meeting, over how to manage the Dam Fund which is sitting in a bank account with an interest rate of 2.75% over 10 years. Rogan said Luzerne Bank had indicated they have no restrictions on when the borough can withdraw money from the account since it is a line of credit, but there was some concern over the IRS See PENN LAKE, page 5