2012 Coopersburg Budget Includes Police Raise, Almost Half-Million Debt

Coopersburg's proposed 2012 budget keeps the 13-mill realty tax and 1 percent earned income tax unchanged and includes a salary increase called for under the police contract and a $13,000 annual payment on $400,000 of debt.

Councilman Jack Felch, who presented the proposed budget draft to council, noted the borough has one of the highest millage rates in the area.

“It's related to an inability to develop,” Felch said.

The proposed budget includes a 2.5 percent salary increase that is part of the police contract. Felch said a merit-based award for non-uniformed salaries might be of greater benefit to Coopersburg in the future.

He also said the $400,000 debt -- that carries a $13,000 annual payment -- is for road work on Route 309. The debt had been off the budget in a separate account but was added to the proposed 2012 budget.

Felch said the borough has a lean budget. “Things happen that cost money. "We're making ends meet,” he said.

In other business, Duane Wetzel, owner of the Linden Street subdivision, asked council for a five-year extension that would protect the subdivision from new ordinances and add time to develop the lots.

“The point is moot. You had the availability,” Councilman Dennis Balascak told Wetzel.

Balascak contended that Wetzel had time to develop and did not make the attempt. Balascak claimed there were six Equivalent Dwelling Units available for purchase. The units include rights to hook up to the sewer system.

“Developers are using this borough,” Balascak said.

Wetzel claimed only one EDU was available and that it would not have been feasible to purchase. “No one was going to buy them at that point,” Wetzel said.

“It's really not the borough's fault,” council president Gary Hovis said.

Wetzel claimed the state Legislature had extended permits and wanted council to have an extension on record. Council approved a three-year extension by a 5-2 vote.

Council approved hiring Jim Evans Tree Care and R & B Tree Services for 16 hours to clean up brush after a report from highway superintendent Dennis Nace. “A quarter of the town did not get any brush cleanup at all,” Nace said.

Jim Evans was hired at a rate of $200 per hour and R & B at $125 per hour. “We can reasonably expect it to be done in four days," Balascak said of the cleanup.

Council will meet at 7pm Dec. 13. The vote on the proposed budget is scheduled for Dec. 29.