Bally Borough Council, on Tuesday night, agreed to advertise two ordinances that will benefit the emergency services in the municipality.  If adopted by January 2025, there will be a .5 mill tax on real estate to benefit the all-volunteer Eastern Berks Fire Company.  Additionally, there will be a .5 mill tax on real estate that will benefit the Bally Ambulance.  Both ordinances are expected to be adopted. 

            Council President Glenn Mutter, a member of the fire company, abstained from voting on the tax increase to benefit the fire company.  The millage increase will appear on property owners' Bally Borough and Berks County tax bills in the spring of 2025.  The ordinance, if adopted, provides a penalty to be collected if the tax is not paid.  The penalty will not benefit the emergency services.  It will be used to pursue the delinquent tax bill. 

            Bally's preliminary budget is not completed as there are a few costs that cannot be estimated, as yet.  Council assured property owners that, with the exception of a tax increase to benefit the emergency services, the tax millage of 5.3 mills will remain the same. 

            Council was approached by Bechtelsville Borough, with whom Bally shares joint zoning ordinances, concerning chickens in Bechtelsville Borough.  Bally's consensus was that while chickens are not permitted in Bally unless the property is in an agricultural security district, some portions of the joint zoning code only pertain to Bechtelsville.  Bally considers the keeping of chickens the concern of Bechtelsville. 

            Council agreed to pay 50% of the cost of $2,750 to set brick in the borough's War Memorial.  The Lions Club will pay the other half of the cost. 

            Council agreed to pay for a survey of a section of North 4th Street and Dogwood Street. 

            Performance Pipeline will be paid $156,855.91 for root cutting and lining of Outfall #1.  It is expected the lining will last 50 years. 

            Trunk or Treat will be held at the community pool parking lot on October 12th with a movie to follow at 7 p.m.  Festivities begin at 6 p.m.  The rain date is October 13th. 

            Bally Halloween Parade is scheduled for Monday, October 21st, with a rain date of Thursday, October, 24th.  Registration for the parade begins at 5:30 p.m.

            A craft show sponsored by Bally Area Recreational Development Society (BARDS) will be held at the Bally Mennonite Church on November 23rd from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Vendors should call Janine at 610-233-0706 to reserve a table.