Slatington council approves 2018 budget

The Slatington Borough Council unanimously voted to accept the 2018 budget during its special meeting last week.

The budget passed will not increase real estate tax, keeping the rate at 4.80 mills, the local service tax at $52 and the wage tax at 1 percent.

The board also voted 5-2 to adopt a modest increase in the fire fund tax, from 0.45 to 0.50 mills.

Joesph Wechsler and Joseph Rinker voted against the increase.

Board President David Schnaars, Jason Ruff, Melvin Gildner, Michael Brogan and Bryon Reed voted to adopt the increase.

Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Nicholas said it will raise the budget from $78,000 to just over $86,000, with half of the budget used for insurance alone.

“I’d like to thank the council for reconsideration for the small increase. There’s several items we need to work on moving forward including the furnace. This will help with that,” he said.

Before the tax was voted on, Rinker asked Nicholas about a handful of incidents involving the repair of equipment in the department.

Rinker asked the chief why the new ladder truck was undergoing paint repair.

“It happened on Willow and North streets. He caught a no parking sign and it scuffed the lettering,” said Nicholas.

“The lettering didn’t have to be replaced, I wanted it replaced. It’s paid for by the cooperation,” he said.

“He has had not one but multiple accidents. It had to go down to be re-lettered for $500. He has taken out a pole, garage door and scraped the Willow Street sign,” Rinker said, zeroing in on a volunteer firefighter who has been involved in multiple incidents.

“That man is driving our truck and we will be sued,” he said.

“Why weren’t we notified when the equipment was damaged?” asked Wechsler.

“I was told to go to the manager when I started,” Nicholas said.

Schnaars agreed, saying, “He notifies Judith and she comes to us. She is responsible for the day to day.”

“You’re talking four to five years ago with the other incidents. Nothing was done with them. I wasn’t chief then,” Nicholas said.

“That’s fine, I just brought it up to everyone’s attention,” Rinker said.

The new borough council will reorganize at 7 p.m. Jan. 2.