Summit Hill reorganizes; debates tax rate
Mayor Paul McArdle, left, of Summit Hill, administers the oath of office to, from left, new borough council member Debra Ranck, re-elected Councilman Bill Chapman and tax collector Kathleen Crampsie during the reorganization meeting of Summit Hill Borough Council on Wednesday. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Summit Hill Borough Council wants to revisit its 2018 budget and possibly increase the real estate tax rate a little more.
The council held its reorganization meeting on Wednesday and delayed setting the tax rates for 2018.
Three of the five council members who were present indicate they want taxes increased by a full mill instead of a half mill, as was agreed upon when the budget passed unanimously last month.
Council President Michael Kokinda, Bill Chapman and David Wargo voted to reopen the budget, while opposed were Karen Ruzicka and newly seated council member Debra Ranck. Absent were Gregory Kosciolek and William O’Gurek Jr.
The council held a speaker phone conference with its solicitor, attorney Michael Greek, then voted to reopen the budget either via a special meeting or at the council’s Jan. 22 session.
The discussion started when it was time to approve the resolutions setting the tax rate.
The budget approved on Dec. 18 set the 2018 millage at 15.60, which was a half-mill higher than 2017.
The council agreed by a 3-2 vote that it wouldn’t approve the resolution, with Ruzicka and Ranck in favor of it.
Kokinda said he doesn’t feel a half-mill increase will net enough funds for the borough’s needs.
“I think we need more than that in the budget,” Kokinda said.
Wargo agreed, saying that a problem with covered manholes on Hazard Street could result in high costs to the borough. “I think we could bankrupt the sewer fund,” he said, expressing the need for a higher tax increase. “I think we need to re-examine this.”
In the reorganization portion of the meeting, Mayor Paul McArdle administered the oath of office to Ranck, Chapman and tax collector Kathleen R. Crampsie.
The council unanimously re-elected Kokinda president of the council and Chapman vice president. Wargo was named president pro tempore.
Kira Steber was renamed secretary-treasurer, garbage collection clerk, recycling grant coordinator and to several other positions.
Other appointments are:
• Solicitor: attorney Michael Greek.
• Depository: Jim Thorpe National Bank.
• Borough Engineer: Carbon Engineering.
• Chief of Police: Joseph Fittos Jr.
• Fire Chief: Shawn Hoben.
• Zoning Officer: Bill Kirklosky.
• Sewage Enforcement Officer: Scott Bieber. Alternate Sewage Enforcement Officer: William Breyer.
• Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission Solicitor: Attorney Michael Garfield.
• Property Maintenance Code Enforcement: Lehigh Engineering.
• Summit Hill Water Authority: Joseph O’Gurek, 5-year term.
• Coaldale-Lansford-Summit Hill Joint Sewer Authority: Jeff Szczecina, 5-year term.
• Borough Planning Commission: William Mansberry.
• Summit Hill Recreation Commission: Amber Zuber, Jody McAndrew and Michelle Midas, all 2-year terms.
The borough has a vacancy for Emergency Management Agency Coordinator.
There is also a vacancy on the UCC Appeals board.
Comments
Again this is due to an $80,000 gap in what our current tax revenue is versus what we should be collecting. If the borough's delinquent taxpayers would pay their property taxes this would NOT be an issue, but again those of us who take responsibility for our taxes and our properties have to carry the freeloaders who do not feel a sense of obligation to pay their taxes in a timely manner. The amount of taxes we would need to collect would be less if everyone took responsibility for themselves but unfortunately this is NOT the case.