Residents of Bally Borough can expect no new taxes and no tax increase in 2020.  The tax millage for the coming year will remain at 5 mills. 

            On Tuesday night Bally Borough Council voted to advertise its 2020 budget of $3.1 million dollars to be enacted at its December meeting.  The borough's budget is divided into a general fund, liquid fuels fund for road improvements, a sewer and water fund, and a recreation fund that supplies resources for the borough pool. 

            For some time the borough pool has operated with a deficit.  Maintenance and repairs to the pool are an expense to the borough.  During the recent election, representatives from the borough's recreation council called Bally Area Recreational Development Society (BARDS) polled voters on their opinion whether to keep the pool open or to close it permanently. 

            Overwhelmingly, the voters expressed the opinion that the pool should remain open. 

            Borough Manager Wendy Mutter explained if the borough repairs the pool it is taxpayer money that is used.  Mutter noted, "Each year the borough puts a band aid on the pool repairs."  Led by newly appointed Councilman Joshua Sloan the recreational council recommended the borough council obtain quotes to repair or replace the pool. 

            BARDS will try to solicit donations for repairs and donations of materials to make needed repairs.  It recommends a small increase in the yearly fee to offset the decrease in membership.  The recreation council suggested pre-selling memberships so that a "locked in price" could be obtained by members.  The recreation council noted a 45-foot pipe needs to be replaced or repaired prior to the opening of the pool next year. 

            Additionally, BARDS will pay for WiFi for the pool area so working parents of small children can benefit from pool usage and still do their jobs.  The recreational council hopes to raise funds to pay for the WiFi, whose cost is approximately $1,000 for one year.  The borough council will not be responsible for the cost of the WiFi.  BARDS has a wish list for the pool that includes more shade umbrellas and picnic benches.

            In another matter, Borough Solicitor Jeffrey Carver noted he had been in communication with Washington Township Solicitor Daniel Becker with a revised draft agreement for the Washington Township water system.  Borough Public Works Superintendent Nate Heffner will inspect Washington Township's water system prior to the transfer to the borough to determine if the system is in good working order. 

            For 20 years Washington Township has had a contract with the borough of Bally to provide water to 104 properties in Victoria Village located in Washington Township.  The contract expired in September 2018.  It has been extended until an agreement can be negotiated between the two municipalities.  It is expected a timely transfer of the assets of Washington Township Municipal Authority Water (WTMA Water) to Bally Borough will occur shortly.

            Borough Manager Mutter informed officials that the new water bill system will be tested in December. It is expected to be in use by March 2020.  Water bills can be sent via email to both property owners in the borough and renters. 

            She reported to the borough council a small white fluffy dog was found wandering along Route 100.  A concerned citizen brought the dog that looked like a Bichon Friese or a Havanese to borough council chambers. 

            Borough employees quickly took charge of the dog whose owner was found within a very short period of time by Bally police.  The dog and its owner were happily reunited with no ill effects.

            The Bally Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m.  The parade route begins at 9th Street and progresses to Chestnut Street to the fire house. Santa Claus will be at the fire house from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.  There will be crafts for children.  Baskets containing gift certificates and liquor will be raffled to benefit the pool. The Christmas Tree lighting will begin at 6 p.m.