During Tuesday night's workshop meeting, Pennsburg Council discussed a draft budget for 2021 that holds the line on taxes. The blueprint – with $2.238 million in revenue and expenses – allocates an additional $44,000 for road repairs, transfers $20,000 to savings and creates the possibility for the borough to hire a fifth full-time police officer toward the end of next year, according to borough President Diane Stevens.

            The balanced budget, which maintains a 7.2225 millage rate, increases the designated amount to purchase minor equipment from $2,400 to $35,000 and includes a $20 increase in trash fees. Rather than examine each line item, the members went through the budget's projected revenue and expenses in sections.

            Council voted unanimously to advertise the draft budget with the intent of voting on the item in November. The measure would likely be placed in the agenda of next week's workshop meeting, according to Stevens.

            According to the council president, municipal officials expect to spend $224,000 on street repairs in the upcoming year. She said after the meeting that borough officials have reached a consensus on the need to reconstruct 5th Street from Dotts Street to Penn Street.

            Borough officials are still figuring out which other streets require immediate attention, according to Stevens. Jason Kulp, the municipality's roads and maintenance supervisor, identified East Third Street, Lakeview Terrace and Lake Lane as needing significant repairs.

            "All three are deteriorating," Kulp said after the meeting.

            According to Stevens, the transfer to savings will be utilized to create a seven and ten year plan for road maintenance equipment. She explained after the meeting that the municipality will likely need to finance the purchase of a dump truck and backhoe in five years.

            In terms of the increase for minor equipment, borough officials expect to purchase multiple items, including an air compressor and possibly a mower, in order to rely less on neighboring municipalities. Stevens said the borough might consider cutting its own grass rather than putting the work out for bid.

            Municipal officials have budgeted $22,500 for six months worth of payments on a potential loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Stevens said if they will learn in the spring if the loan has been granted, and that the money would likely be awarded next summer. 

            Residents will pay $230 in fees per unit for trash and recycle removal in 2021. They did not see an increase in 2019, according to the council president.

            "For what residents will be getting, that price is really good," she said during the meeting.

            Municipal officials expect to move forward with a plan to install a tot lot close to borough hall, near the entrance to the Upper Perk Police Department. According to Stevens, the borough will be required to provide a $20,000 match to receive a $50,000 grant. The council president said the borough could cover $13,000 with a certificate of deposit and that it would cover the remaining $7,000 out of savings.

            Mark Adamski, the borough's newest police officer, was sworn in ceremonially by Mayor Vicki Lightcap during the meeting. The officer, who officially took his oath of office Sept. 30 before District Judge Maureen Coggins, started his field training program on Oct. 10, according to Chief Joe Adam.

            Last month, the members voted unanimously to rehire Adamski as a part-time officer with the department. He previously served 10 years as a full-time officer for the municipal department and the Upper Perk Police District before being laid off in 2018. He was sworn in during the April 2008 meeting of the Upper Perkiomen Police Commission and last worked for the Upper Perk Police Department on April 26, 2018.

            In other news, council voted to accept the resignation of Cody Belmont as its Emergency Management Coordinator, effective Dec. 31. In his letter Belmont, a former member of council, decided to resign due to his increased responsibility with the Pennsburg Fire Company, his job and family time, according to Lightcap.

"Cody really stepped up in the role," the mayor said during the meeting.