Council member suggests revisiting Marlborough Police Contract in 2020

            At their December 13 meeting, Green Lane Borough Council voted to approve the 2019 budget and tax code. There will be no tax increase for the New Year. According to Council President Brian Carpenter, this will be the 17^th straight year that the borough has not increased taxes for its residents.

            The total for 2019 is $164,320 which includes $50,900 for roads - which includes snow and ice removal and leaf pick-up; $2,000 contribution to the fire company plus $500 rent; $1,200 donation to the Upper Perkiomen Valley library; and $2,500 for Isaac Smith Park. The tax rate is two mills.

            Council Vice-President Jerry Godshall made a suggestion that for the 2020 budget, the idea of a contract with Marlborough Township for police protection be revisited. The township has hired new full and part-time officers which will provide almost 24 hour coverage. Coverage and a rate increase were sticking points which caused the borough to previously end police coverage from the township.

            Also, Godshall suggested that the borough look into contracting with the township for snow and ice removal. Godshall pointed-out the township has to go through the borough to get from one side of the township to the other along the Route 63/29 corridors as it is. Council President Brian Carpenter stated, in the past, the township wanted nothing to do with this idea. Godshall pointed-out that there is new leadership in the township now, which may be open for change.

            In other business council approved the appointment of borough resident Mary T. Garber as the new secretary/treasurer and right-to-know contact person.

            Sewer Authority Representatives Jerry Godshall and Salaam Majeed reported that the authority approved a 5% rate increase for customers beginning in March of 2019. Godshall explained that this will be necessary for the work that will be needed in the future, as well as making sure the authority is operating within PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) mandates. Godshall added that the authority wants to incrementally increase rates, as needed, so as not to surprise the customers with a massive increase, has been the case in the past.

            Code Enforcement Officer John Membrino reported that a fence has been erected in the rear parking lot of Rockwell's Restaurant, located along Route 29. According to a Rockwell's spokesperson, the fence is needed for one month to conceal the increasing amount of junk and debris. Rockwell's did not apply for a fence permit. After conferring with officials, Membrino was instructed to inform the owners to receive a permit or remove the fence after one week.

            Borough Engineer Joseph Carlin reported he received updated engineer's drawings for the parking lot at New Covenant Chapel, located at Fifth and Walnut Streets. According to Carlin, the updated drawings only contained minor revisions.