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LEWISTOWN -- There was plenty of discussion and action at this month's Lewistown Borough Council meeting on Wednesday.
By a 4-2 vote, the Council approved advertising the increased fire tax by 1.5 mils, effective January 1, 2024.
If it isn't voted down by then, the 1.5 mil increase will take effect at the beginning of the year. The cost would be around $5 per resident a month and generate about $150,000 a year to help pay for the new fire truck for the Fire Department.
The Council approved the new fire truck purchase by a 5-1 vote at a cost of $1,623,189. They are awaiting a new quote with the CoStars number.
The borough council voted down a mil increase for the fire tax in December by a 3-2 vote, with two members absent.
Many see the Fire Tax increase as an important measure to help provide the funding needed for the much-needed renovations and repairs to buildings and equipment.
Also, as May heralds Mental Health Month, the Council gave a unanimous nod to Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services (JVBDS) Green Light campaign to raise awareness and fight mental health stigma.
The JVBDS launched its Mental Health Matters Billboard Campaign across the tri-county area -- Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata Counties, aiming to create a significant impact.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has flung open registration doors for their upcoming event – the Juniata Valley Out of the Darkness Walk, in collaboration with JVBDS. The URL afsp.org/Lewistown is where you can register for the walk.
The walk takes place on Sunday, October 1, at Kish Park in Lewistown. Go to the Juniata Valley Walk Facebook Page for more details and updates.
In a symbolic gesture, the JVBDS will also decorate Lewistown Borough parking meters with green ribbons--a visual reminder of the significance of mental health in our day-to-day lives.
In other borough news,
• Approval of Minutes: Council Meeting of March 8, 2023.
• Approval of Treasurer's Report: End of March 2023.
• Approval of Schedule of Bills.
• Facility Use Requests: Community Center (alcohol), Parking Lot, Pavilion, Streets.
• Acknowledge receipt of Fame Meeting Minutes.
• Acknowledge receipt of Tax Collector's Report.
• Acknowledge receipt of Codes Enforcement Report.
• The consent agenda was approved, including community center events, parking lot and pavilion use, and street closures.
• The Mechanic / Workman candidate will be offered the full-time position.
• The Community Center Coordinator candidate will be offered the part-time position.
• The Council approved the RFP from Aquatic Design Facility, Inc. from Millersburg, PA, for a Rec Park Pool study to be completed in 2023 and 2024.
• The Council is still receiving applicants for the position of Chief, Lewistown Fire Department.
• The Council agreed to halt the progress of the grant application on removing the river debris along the R/R bridge in the Juniata River.
• The "chickens in the borough" issue is being sent to the Law and Ordinance Committee meeting on April 20.
• Council approved 4-2 to continue parking enforcement for street maintenance during the repairs of the Street Sweeper. The street sweeper is still being repaired.
• The Parking Authority issue was agreed to be sent to the Law and Ordinance Committee meeting on April 20.
• The Bingaman Property demolition cost the Borough $10,000.
• The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Heritage Fire and Rescue is April 30, at 11:30 a.m.
• Civil Service testing at the Community Center for the police department is on April 30.
• The Council approved the PennDOT agreement and resolution for Traffic Signal Maintenance.
• The auction for County's land (former Black's Hospital) is April 27 at 5 p.m.
• The Council approved the handicapped signs for 238 E. 4th, 227 Logan, and 21 West Charles Streets.
• The Council approved the request for an extension for one year of the Blight Remediation Program – Borough of Lewistown – Valley Street Demo – Contract # C000079192.
• The Council changed the Cost and Fee Schedule for review at the next Finance Meeting:
$6 admission fee at the pool seven days a week.
The application fee for handicapped parking will increase to $50.
The recycling facility will be open one Saturday per quarter.
The need to add the third tier of refuse to the C&F Schedule.
All three refuse tiers will increase by $5 per tier.
Need to update the effective dates of each section.
• The Council approved by a 4-3 vote (Mayor Deb Bargo broke the tie) for the advertisement for the increase in Sewer Rates for the rest of 2023.
• The Council approved Employee Appreciation Day for August 25, 2023.
• The Council approved this summer's lowest bidders for the Southside Paving and ADA ramp projects.
• Juniata-Mifflin Counties Boroughs Association annual dinner meeting is on April 20 at 6 p.m. at the community center. RSVP with Mayor Bargo.