MANSFIELD - Borough council approved a proposed "no-tax-increase" $1.35 million budget for 2013 during Wednesday's meeting. The plan calls for a near $3,000 surplus and calls for the borough's real estate millage to remain at 7.25 mills.
The proposed $762,000 sewer budget also was passed with a $47,000 deficit, which council hopes to partially make up with a 5 percent increase in sewer fees, taking the equivalent dwelling unit rate from $9.25 to $10 per EDU.
Residential water rates also will increase from $4.25 per thousand gallons used to $5 per thousand gallons used. Commercial water rates will rise from $4.55 per thousand gallons to $5.30 per thousand gallons.
The new rates will take effect in January.
Council also passed a resolution to honor former borough Manager Edward M. Grala for his 32 years of service.
Grala began working for the borough in 1980 for parks and recreations, then added planning and zoning to his responsibilities in 1981. In December 1988, Grala became borough manager and retired in September of this year.
"Having Ed as borough manager enabled the borough to be a progressive municipality, prospering under his leadership. He has been a pillar of the community for decades," council Vice President Bruce Dart said.
Dart presided over the meeting in the absence of council President Steve Gee, who was out of town.
Council also:
Heard from Director of Codes and Public Works Shawn Forrest that he would propose creating a new zone called an R1 overlay proposed which is an R3 use within the R1 to accommodate a 90-unit housing development at the I-99 Business Park. A council meeting will be held in January to consider the change and a public hearing will be held in February before the change can be made.
Approved allowing the YMCA to begin a $150,000 capital campaign to do facility improvements.
Approved a request from the Free Public Library for an increase in the borough's annual contribution, which stood at $12,000. The contribution was increased by $3,000 to $15,000. Forrest said he would look into whether some of the borough's $174,000 share of the natural gas impact fee may be used to cover the increase.
Approved purchasing a computer codes program for a permit issuing system that also will track complaints and provide additional mapping through Google maps and has GIS tracking for $16,000. The program will be paid for with funds from permit fees.
