Borough Raises Millage

During last Monday evening’s meeting, the Williamsburg Borough decided to raise its millage by 1 mill. The council cited an increase of $4,000 in health insurance costs, along with an unknown increase anticipated with worker’s compensation. Council member Ed Patterson, who is on the personnel and finance committee for the borough, said that it was the “recommendation” of the committee to increase the millage. Paula Hamilton made motion to advertise the budget with a millage increase and Bruce Hamilton seconded. The motion carried.

Borough Manager Joe Lansberry said there had been some inquiries with installing a four-way stop intersection between Plum and Second streets. Patterson said that there have been several accidents over the past few months there, and he agreed that something needed to be done. The council decided that a traffic study would have to be done by the state before anything else could be done and instructed Lansberry to see the next steps.

The resolution for the Local Shares grant for the borough was approved. This grant application is for a leaf vacuum for the borough at an estimated cost of $67,000.

The reorganizational meeting for Jan. 2 was moved to 7:30 p.m. Patterson made a motion to advertise the meeting dates and times with Paula Hamilton seconding. The motion carried.

Blair County’s Social Services Grants Coordinator for Community Development Trina Illig gave an update on the High Street property that was recently cited for unsafe living conditions, citing a failing foundation. Illig said that she has been trying to find a structural engineer to help with the property plans, but Tim Campbell of Stiffler-McGraw refused to do the project due to conflict of interest. Illig cited a “lack of communication” with other engineers whom she asked to do the project.

The borough’s Solicitor Nathan Karn wrote a letter to the property owner warning that the borough might have to “red-tag” the property if a building permit was not applied for by Nov. 3. Illig said that the county “has skin in the game already,” toward the project and asked for an extension to get more time to communicate with other potential engineers.

Paula Hamilton made a motion to grant an extension until Dec. 31, with Bruce Hamilton seconding. The motion carried.

Council member Jim Foreso said that he received a call from Senator Judy Ward’s office for information to complete a grant for speeding signs. Ed Patterson made a motion to apply for grant funding with Paula Hamilton seconding. The motion passed.

Don Zimmerman and Dennis Hammel were absent from the meeting.