Nov 10, 2014 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – A tentative 2014 budget approved by Waynesburg Borough Council Monday will hold the line on property taxes next year.

Borough manager Mike Simms presented a proposed budget to council that lists expenditures at $1,653,000 and maintains a property tax levy of 9 mills.

Simms called the tentative budget “very austere” and said it includes “no frills.”

Among the spending categories under the general fund, the budget lists $452,400 for public safety, which includes police; $713,700 for miscellaneous expenses, including hospitalization, retirement and insurance; $176,500 for general government; and $204,300 for public works.

The separate sewage budget totals $548,900, which is less than the current year, but primarily because of a change in accounting.

In the past, street employee salaries were included in the sewage budget because they also did work on the sewage system, Simms said. Under the proposed budget, however, 75 percent of their salaries will be paid from the general fund and the remaining 25 percent from the sewage budget.

In regard to capital improvements, Simms said both the street and police departments appear to be in fairly good shape in regard to the need for new vehicles. However, it is much harder to predict the needs of the sewage department, he said. This year, for example, the sewage plant had three pumps break down that had to be repaired or replaced, he said.

Councilman Mark Fischer asked whether money would be available for any technological enhancement for the police department. Simms said the borough now has a healthy parking fund and money from the fund could be used to cover some of the costs of any new purchases.

Council received a report from engineer Mike Dufalla regarding the additional permitted parking spaces that could be created at the former Midtown Auto lot after the demolition of the Midtown Auto building.

Council agreed last month to demolish the building. Dufalla, who developed the parking plan based on borough code requirements, said the borough could add eight spaces to the lot that currently has 35.

He also said, however, that if the building is demolished, a retaining wall will have to be constructed in its place because of the higher elevation of the adjoining lot. Simms was asked to get an estimate on the cost of constructing a retaining wall similar to the one that is now in place on the eastern side of the lot.

As part of the project, the borough was planning to build a lean-to and repair the roof on a building at the street department complex on First Street for equipment now stored in the Midtown building.

The borough plans to buy the materials and have the SCI-Greene inmate work crew do the work. Simms said he contacted the institution and a crew is available in March.

Two representatives of the Cumberland Oxford House introduced themselves and explained the workings of the new residential facility for men recovering from drug and alcohol addiction that has been established at a house at 90 S. Cumberland St.

Bob Terry spoke of the need for such a facility in Greene County as well as the rules under which the house, which will be occupied by six men, must abide. The houses are run democratically by the occupants, making each member accountable to the others, he said. Housing plans run under the Oxford House program, “really do work,” he said.

Councilwoman Lynne Snyder said she applauded the group’s efforts to establish a program in the county.

Mary Beth Pastorius told council another workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 in council chambers to discuss the preservation of buildings in downtown Waynesburg.

The group has met several times to discuss what can be done to preserve downtown buildings possibly through the adoption of a demolition ordinance or an historic preservation ordinance. Anyone interested in such matters is urged to attend the meeting, she said.

The idea for the workshops grew out of the discussion council and residents had several months ago regarding the demolition of the old county office building.