Dec 9, 2014 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Borough Council Tuesday adopted the borough’s 2015 budget and approved the purchase of signs to regulate parking on Market Street during winter to allow for plowing after it snows.

The budget, which is identical to the tentative budget approved last month, will not require a tax increase. Property taxes will remain at 2.85 mils.

The budget lists $137,242.58 in spending and $153,581.51 in revenue.

Councilman Ralph McWilliams voted against the budget, questioning money earmarked for employee overtime for helping with parades and snow removal. He suggested employees instead receive compensatory time off.

McWilliams also questioned why money for raises was included in the tentative budget before council had a chance to discuss it.

Borough secretary Brandi Streit said she was directed to add money for raises in the tentative budget. Council approved a 3 percent wage increase for each of the three employees last month after approving the tentative budget.

Council approved a motion to purchase signs that will prohibit parking on Market Street between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. from Dec. 1 to April 1, or when there is more than two inches of snow.

This will allow borough street worker Jim Petrone to plow the street. Police Chief Mike Gyurke was asked to check whether council would first have to adopt an ordinance to implement the restrictions.

Council continued to discuss what should be done in regard to parking in the business district. Parking meters in the downtown area were removed about a month ago.

Council spoke of problems in regard to people who park in the business district around the clock and take spaces that could be used by those who want to patronize local stores and restaurants.

Council discussed limiting parking in the business district to two hours, but also recognized the borough would then have to hire someone to enforce that restriction.

A property owner who attended Monday’s meeting also told council to take into consideration people who rent apartments in the borough and who often have nowhere to park at night except the street.

Councilman Mike Dohanich told the resident council discussed a number of options and realizes it will have to strike a “happy medium” to please residents, business owners and renters.

Council discussed holding a workshop to discuss parking. Council president Charles Walker said, however, the meeting was difficult to arrange because of work schedules and now the holidays.

Council agreed to accept a donation from the Fred Clark Nursery to plant a pine tree in the borough lot on town square to serve as the borough Christmas tree.

Council also agreed to seek bids to have an auditing firm complete the borough’s annual audit.