No Tax Increase for Schwenksville

Schwenksville Borough Council on Thursday night unanimously approved the 2012 budget, which is smaller than previous years, and set the tax rate, which is the same as 2011.

Noting the tough economic climate, councilman Rudy Micsko said, “It wouldn’t be right to increase people’s taxes when they’re hurting.”

From 2009, Schwenksville has operated with a budget around $548,000; now there is about $390,000.

As council discussed working within the constraints of declining revenues, conversation during Mayor Joe Giunta’s report turned to .

Giunta said he wanted go “on the record” that he is “adamantly opposed to closing parks, trails and historical sites.”

One of my chief concerns is the health welfare and safety of (residents), he said, adding that vandalism and drug use along trail is happening now.
“To remove all supervision would be catastrophic,” Giunta said.
He said that if council was in agreement, “we could put together a letter to the county commissioners … (and) let our feelings be known.”

Micsko agreed. “We’re trying to beautify and revitalize area and they’re going to let trail and everything around (go to ruin),” he said.

“No they’re not; nobody is going to close parks or libraries,” countered Council President Arthur Fairclough. They picked things to get the public up in arms so they would accept a tax increase, he said.

Councilperson Lee Ann Miller concurred with Fairclough’s assessment, but added, “I also think in order for that strategy to work, we have to raise our voices and be heard.”

Council members said they favored drafting a letter for the county commissioners.

In other business:
• The Montgomery County planner’s three-year contract with the borough is wrapping up, and Manager Mike Galla asked the council if they were interested in entering another three-year contract.
After much discussion, Galla said he would ask about the possibility and cost of entering a one-year contract.
Council said they received excellent work from their county planner, and at a better price than from an outside contractor, but was unsure how frequently they would need the planner throughout three years.
• Galla said he and borough Engineer David Leh have been working with re-striping of Main Street, and the project should be completed by the end of the year.
• Vandals have hit again; this time, scrawling graffiti on the concrete pad. The borough authority can’t remove it, so officials are currently waiting to learn if an outside company could do the work, and at what cost.
A surveillance camera should be installed and running in January.
• Council approved a conditional use for a one-bedroom apartment in conjunction with the offices and dance/art studio at 100 Main St.
Miller noted that it’s not different from many other buildings in the area have residential and commercial spaces.
• Chief Jim Keyser reported that the company responded to five calls in November, including one accident in the borough. He reminded everyone that Santa Claus will be coming to town Saturday, Dec. 17, from noon to 2 p.m.
• Council’s reorganization meeting is Monday, Jan. 2; the regular meeting is at Jan. 12. Meeting times have been moved to 7 p.m. from 7:30.