Last Thursday night, Green Lane Borough Council discussed, but took no action on, a proposal to enact a tax to benefit the Freedom Valley Medical Rescue (FVMR) service. The maximum amount of tax would be capped at .5 mils.  If a higher amount were deemed necessary, a referendum would be required to increase the tax rate. 

            FVMR covers several municipalities surrounding Green Lane.  Like many other ambulance services in the region, Freedom Valley has experienced increasing costs due to inflation and a reduction of volunteers willing to serve.  As an example of the cost ambulance services encounter, ambulances need to be replaced every five to eight years.  The initial cost for a new ambulance can be, at the minimum, $400,000. 

            FVMR has requested all the municipalities it services contribute their fair share.  A fair share contribution would be based on the number of calls the ambulance receives in a municipality as well as the number of people in the municipality. 

            Currently, Limerick gives $350,000 and Lower Salford Township provides $325,000 in funding.  Upper Salford Township gives $7,000.  Green Lane Borough, the smallest municipality in Montgomery County with a population of 500, gives $5,000 in funding.  However, some municipalities provide no funding to the ambulance service. 

It is anticipated that if all the municipalities served by FVMR donated a fair share contribution, funding to the ambulance service would increase by 50%.  For example, Green Lane would be expected to donate $10,000 instead of its current $5,000 to FVMR.

              FVMR has noted if municipalities do not donate funds for the service, then it will not provide ambulance coverage for the municipality.  It was implied a non-contributing municipality would be forced to look elsewhere for ambulance service.  Green Lane Borough Council was informed municipalities are required to provide ambulance and fire services for their residents.

FVMR only responds to 911 calls.  It does not provide transport for kidney dialysis or nursing homes.  In essence, it is not a taxi service. 

            The borough council agreed to investigate the matter more thoroughly prior to enacting a new tax.  In the meantime, Montgomery County is going to perform a feasibility study to determine if the county could provide ambulance service.

            In other matters, a resident of Fourth Street requested the promised sign that prevents trucks from using that street be erected soon.  He noted trucks climb the hill on Fourth Street and realized they cannot turn around.  They then back out from Fourth Street onto Main Street, honking their horns and disturbing the peace the entire way.  The borough council assured the resident the "No Trucks" sign will be erected in the coming week. 

            Several properties in Green Lane were sent letters of enforcement to clean up their properties.  The former Yoder Brothers store, former Rockwell Restaurant, and the greenhouse located near Route 29 were notified of violations on their properties. 

            The borough council looked at lighting designs that included an antique style similar to lights in Spring City.  No decision was made on the style of lighting. 

            Since the full-depth reclamation of several streets in the borough has been completed, milling of borough roads can commence.  Once the milling is finished, paving of Fifth Street, Green Street, and Walnut Street can begin.  The alleys will be the last to be completed. 

            There has been no update on a grant to construct handicap ramps throughout the borough that will comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). 

            The first portion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money to purchase properties in the borough impacted by flooding is not expected until the end of the year.  However, the borough hopes to receive approximately $20,000 shortly to recompense it for its managerial, engineering, and consultant expenses. 

            A new "Little Library" has been erected in the Green Lane Borough Park.  The books in the library were donated by Rich and Fern Moyer. 

            The Green Lane Fire Police will assist at the Big Bad Bonfire. The date has been changed to October 21.