Boro budget to hike taxes .2 mill for fire protection / By Martha Knight

Taxes will increase .2 mill to support an equivalent  increase in fire protection spending, meaning support of the Port Allegany Fire Department (a volunteer company aka Star Hose).

That the proposed budget totals $1,984,095, with fire protection accounting for $88,839 of that amount. The latest .2 mill increase will bring fire protection support to an even 1 mill, after three consecutive annual .2 hikes as requested by the fire department.

No increases are planned in water or sewer rates.

Real estate tax is expected to bring in $51,741. Some reserves will be utilized in certain accounts is necessary.

The proposed budget will receive final action at the December 9 meeting.

One annual issue concerning downtown snow removal was settled for this winter when council member Eric Button offered a motion that the borough provide snow plowing and removal service to augment the PennDOT service.

Borough manager Richard Kallenborn reported last month  that his discussions with the state agency found it adamant in refusing to plow more than the two traffic lanes of Route 6/155/North Main Street through the borough, or to pay the borough to do so, as used to be the arrangement.

This has left the parking areas clogged with snow in recent winters, and allowed snow banks to form.

Council members voted unanimously to adopt Button’s motion. Kallenborn pointed out that this would add to borough costs. Council member Dave Fair pointed out that cessation of summer work on water lines and streets frees up time for the borough crew to tackle snow removal.

Council member Lynn Farber said, “It’s important that the community be aware that as we add to the list of chores, we add to the costs of services.”

Kallenborn reiterated that it continues to be an inequity, with PennDOT providing a berm-to- berm or even guardrail-to-guardrail service in townships. Borough secretary Sue Roboski added that this has been a sore point often discussed by the association of boroughs, for many years.

The borough will do the extra snow removal in the “central commercial” part of North Main Street between Arnold Avenue and Mill Street.

Joan Chimenz of 14 West Ransom Street attended the session to ask that the borough take steps to force her neighbor, Steve Baker, to deal with the issues that have created problems on her property. She said she had brought her complaints to Kallenborn repeatedly.

Chimenz distributed photos that she said showed the situation. She said she tried to keep her own grounds mowed and tended, but could not deal with the weeds that spill over from the Baker property. “I’m 85. I shouldn’t be doing this.”

Clearly nettled, Kallenborn retorted that many of the corrections asked for had been carried out in the course of the past summer. He assured Chimenz that he would take a look at current conditions.

Mahlon Davenport of Dennis Avenue passed around some paperwork relating to work done at his place dating back to 1991, when, he said, he had been promised that drainage in that area would be corrected. A catch basin is needed to keep water from accumulating on and near his driveway, in spite of the ample sluice he had provided.

Kallenborn protested that he had not been borough manager in 1991, but Davenport said that four borough managers including Kallenborn had renewed promises to provide the drainage,

It was Davenport’s second appearance at the borough council meeting in as many months. Kallenborn said the drainage issue would be reviewed, but “no work can be done until next spring” because of the current press of winter preparation projects.

Keith Fortner brought several concerns to the attention of the council. One related to some missing sidewalk sections in the downtown area. Kallenborn said these had been slated for repair along with other recent concrete work, but there had not been enough concrete. More would be hand mixed and used soon, he promised.

Fortner displayed photographs showing “blank signs” at the ends of Willow Street. “If they are not important, take them down.” He drew attention to other matters in need of correction, commenting on the need to keep the community attractive and welcoming to potential new businesses and residents.

Kallenborn and council president Andrew Johnson said the matters would be attended to.

Several members of the public who had spoken then commented that they find much to be proud of about the appearance of the community. In return, Farber thanked them and declared, “It’s an awfully nice place to live.”

Another member of the public asked about the status of the flood control project. Kallenborn replied that the new dikes are being designed now. The borough’s responsibility is to provide needed land. Kallenborn said the borough will negotiate with the owner of the section of the former Indian Echo golf links that will be needed. If negotiations fail, eminent domain proceedings will be used.

Kallenborn reported that leaf collection has been largely ended, but if residents bag leaves and place the bags at the curb, the borough will collect them.

Council member Sam Dynda asked that open collection (rake-to-curb) be continued through Friday if possible because of the recent high winds having brought down quantities of leaves. Kallenborn said this would be done, “weather permitting.”

Mayor Don Carley delivered the monthly police report, noting that the total of 898 criminal arrests for the month was a record for his 30 years of service (first as police chief, then as mayor).

Police Chief Dave Distrola explained that 891 represented the number of counts and charges against one individual, who had been charged with crimes dating back as far as 10 years, but only recently made known by the alleged victims.

Mick Caulkins of 28 Main LLC reported that the borough council’s approval of a lease at at the recent special meeting had expedited the process of preparing an entry at Maple Commons, for use at medical offices being developed there. “I got my concrete poured,” Caulkins said, and thanked council for its cooperation.