NEW WILMINGTON Reserve cash will balance the budget

A part-time police officer has been hired for full time.
BY MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The 2004 borough budget will meet expenses, but a transfer will have to be made from reserve funds to pay for several capital improvement projects.
Kenneth Romig, finance committee chairman, told borough council Monday that major projects planned for next year include $175,000 worth of sewer plant improvements and electric rewiring of Neshannock Avenue for $79,000. A $136,000 transfer will be necessary from the capital reserve fund to help pay for these and some smaller projects.
Cable revenues
Romig said, however, that revenues from the borough-run cable television system are up significantly because of the rebuilding of the system and the resulting increase in rates, and from the addition of cable Internet, which has already attracted about 100 customers.
He said that overall, the borough's finances are in good shape. Expenditures are anticipated to be $1.12 million compared to this year's $843,644. The largest increases in spending were a $154,200 jump in debt service because of the cable system rebuilding and a $54,000 increase in the cost of providing employee health insurance. The budget is available for review at borough offices.
Money sought
Also Monday, Debi Wagner and Rick Adams of the New Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department asked council to consider paying for new overhead doors and carpeting for the fire station. Estimated price for the doors is $3,550. No prices have been obtained for carpeting. Council agreed to consider the purchase.
Council President Larry Wagner said that current part-time borough police officer Charles Uber has been hired for the vacant full-time police officer's position, pending medical and psychological tests. Council will ask Mayor Wendell Wagner, who did not attend the meeting, to authorize Police Chief Carmen Piccirillo to hire another part-timer to replace Uber.
Borough Superintendent Fred Garrett announced he received a $12,168 reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a municipal park footbridge that was washed out during summer storms.
Council agreed to pay $245 to the Lawrence County Tourism Agency for the year's membership. The cost is based on 10 cents per resident.