Alburtis Borough Council began the Dec. 23, 2019 meeting by carrying motions to approve previous meeting minutes, bills for payment and several reports.

With a lack of public comments, council proceeded to discuss Resolution No. 2019-13, the police pension plan, ordinances and a proposal to raise pay rates.

Resolution No. 2019-13 reduces pension plan contributions by police officers from five percent to four percent.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer explained Police Chief Robert J. Palmer II wished to speak to the borough about Ordinance 558. This ordinance requires specific borough police officers to dedicate normal working hours to police duty. While council waited for Palmer to arrive, they analyzed the remaining ordinances up for discussion on the borough agenda.

Ordinance 559 establishes the real estate tax rate for 2020 at 3.83 mills; the same numbers used for 2019’s real estate tax rate. This ordinance confirms a 2 percent discount on real estate taxes paid within two months of the tax notice and a 10 percent penalty for failing to pay taxes within four months of the tax notice.

Ordinance 560 explains the revised compensation for certain borough positions. These revisions become effective Jan. 1.

Next, council carried a motion to establish the hourly pay rates for the maintenance department personnel. These compensation changes are also effective Jan. 1.

Council carried motions to approve each of the ordinances and resolution.

In addition to the ordinances and resolutions, council also carried a motion to adopt the 2020 balanced budget.

Council member Stephen Kaufman explained the balanced budget benefits many of the projects the borough anticipates in 2020. Currently, the borough intends on fulfilling four major sewer and road projects.

“We’re doing our best to be financially prudent while managing major functions of government,” Kaufman said.

Council President Ronald DeIaco praised the borough management staff and state Sen. Pat Brown, R-16th and state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, for obtaining numerous grants to fund these projects.

“Our staff was able to bring in over $1 million in grants this year,” DeIaco said. “We’ve had a lot of help and we’ve been very fortunate to get those grants and help to continue to be able to [complete projects] and improve the quality of life in the borough.”

Last on the agenda, council evaluated Lower Macungie Township’s proposed amendment to their zoning ordinance. The packet provided by Lower Macungie Township is simply for Alburtis Borough Council to evaluate.