KULPMONT - Kulpmont Borough Council unanimously approved Tuesday night a 2012 tentative budget totaling $613,595 that calls for no tax increase and compares very closely to the current spending plan.
Approving the budget were Council President Bruno Varano, Joseph Winhofer, Clarence Deitrick, Michael V. Fantanarosa and Phil Scicchitano. James Wisloski and Ray Kraynak were absent.
Borough treasurer Paul Niglio, who outlined the spending plan, stated, "It's almost the same as last year. There will have to be some changes made in the police budget before January, but overall, there are no major changes."
Niglio said he expects council to adopt a final budget next month. He said the deadline to approve the 2012 spending plan is Feb. 15.
General fund revenue includes a cash carryover of $48,905, $243,000 in real estate taxes, $221,350 in Act 511 taxes and $100,340 in miscellaneous income.
Expenditures in the general fund include $17,950 for legislative expenses, $2,850 for executive expenses, $3,600 for fiscal expenses, $15,550 for tax collection, $5,500 for legal services, $35,405 for administrative expenses, $1,350 for auditing services, $53,100 for general government, $3,000 for engineering, $52,850 for municipal buildings, $141,840 for police protection, $45,500 for fire protection, $2,450 for ambulance services, $47,900 for code enforcement, $175,900 for public works and highways, $5,450 for parks and recreation, and $3,400 in miscellaneous expenses.
In other business, council agreed to pay $5,000 to KPI Technology of Elysburg to perform engineering work involved with a proposal to construct a new borough hall on a 2.6-acre vacant lot on Fir Street between Seventh and Eighth streets near the Holy Angels Church picnic grounds.
Michael R. Begis, an engineer with KPI, told council members it would be cheaper to have the same firm design and construct the new borough hall under one contract.
Winhofer said council members are optimistic a new borough building will be constructed by next Christmas.
Council approved a new yard sale ordinance that will allow residents to conduct yard sales four times a year from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., not including Kulpmont's annual community yard sale in the summer.
Council members agreed to pay a total of $59.40 for part-time police officers Tom Nowroski and Nicole Baker to attend a two-day training session on legal updates. Council also approved Taser training for Nowroski in Hershey next month that will cost $350.
Council agreed to renew the memberships of Kulpmont Police Chief Richard L. Wilson III and Nowroski in the Valley Gun and Country Club in Elysburg at $15 per officer.
Varano said council's reorganization meeting will be held Jan. 3.
Mayor Myron F. Turlis announced the Santa Sleigh sponsored by Shamokin Rotary Club will visit the borough from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Council agreed to make its annual donation of $100 to the club for sponsoring the sleigh.
Council approved a recommendation by the personnel committee to appoint Raymond Siko II as borough fire chief for 2012 and 2013. Jeff Gilotti and Kevin O'Hearn, who is the outgoing chief, were appointed to serve as deputy fire chief and assistant fire chief, respectively, for the next two years.
Varano and Turlis commended Fantanarosa and Kraynak for their years of service on council. Fantanarosa, who served two terms, did not seek re-election. Kraynak resigned from the post after winning election to Mount Carmel Area School Board last month.
Fantanarosa stated, "It was a pleasure. I learned a lot about people and this town. It was great serving the people of Kulpmont. The town is in good hands."