Real estate taxes will most likely increase in East Greenville in the coming year, as borough council on Tuesday discussed a proposed millage rate increase from 5.25 mills to 6.25 mills in 2014.  

        The 1 mill increase will result in an additional $100 dollars in taxes on a property with an assessed value of $100,000.

        The proposed, but not yet approved, budget, for 2014 is approximately $1.39 million.  Borough officials explained that the 1 mill increase will help fund some road projects and offset the rising cost of the Upper Perk Police Department.  

        In 2014 East Greenville’s portion of the police department budget is $534,352.95, an increase of $24,801 over 2013. Pennsburg’s share of the police department budget will increase by $27,565 in 2014 to $653,098.05.  The overall budget for the police department for the two boroughs is $1,132,336.

        Borough council also discussed its proposed sidewalk repair plan.  Mayor Ryan Sloyer said the first letters to property owners whose sidewalks are high priority because of their poor condition will go out in January 2015.  The plan will then rotate over a three-year period to determine which sidewalks must be replaced. Sloyer said the borough will give property owners sufficient notice because sidewalk repairs can cost “thousands of dollars.”  

        Repairs to sidewalks in poor condition must begin by April 2015. Sidewalks the borough considers in mediocre condition are expected to be replaced starting in April 2016.  Those of low priority must begin to be fixed by April 2017.  
        Council President Josiah Pierson reported to council that the Regional Planning Commission is moving ahead with its way-finding sign project.  Pierson said the Western Center vo-tech school, with the assistance of Knoll International and Horizon Sign Company, will build five prototypes of the signs. The signs will be located around the Upper Perkiomen Valley to assist visitors to the area find points of local interest.  
        Also at Tuesday’s meeting, a Morris Road resident requested that the borough fix a large hole on her sidewalk that was created when a mailbox was removed and relocated by the United States Post Office. East Greenville required the property owner to repair the hole because it has caused an unsafe condition; however, the resident said she is physically and financially unable to repair the damage.  

        Borough officials explained the borough cannot repair the hole because it would circumvent its own ordinance, which requires property owners to repair their own sidewalks. The borough gave the property owner an extension of time to repair the damage caused by the post office.  
        In addition, council members decided to donate $750 for the expenses of the Hometown Christmas Parade. Sloyer also thanked Pennsburg and Red Hill boroughs for their contributions to the parade.  
        The borough council agreed to pay an increase of $150 for liability coverage in its insurance coverage so that it can rent the club house at Colonial Village to different groups. Currently, the borough pays $264 per year for insurance coverage on the building. There are 12 parking spots at the club house; eight are designated for public use.   
        Borough Council also voted to advertise a resolution that will determine how it will dispose of old records, and council said it would like to sell its airless paint sprayer in “as is” condition.  
        The East Greenville Borough Council's year-end meeting is scheduled for Dec. 23 at 7:45 p.m.