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LCCC students inducted into Phi Theta Kappa

TTL122017E01

Nothing But Trucks

<p>WEST PITTSTON &#8212; Council members Monday gave final approval to a 2018 budget that totals about $5.7 million and calls for no tax hike.</p><p>Property taxes will remain at 3.46 mills. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.</p><p>Also this week, council members approved using $12,000 in reserve funds from 2017 fire protection millage to pay toward principal and interest on a previous fire truck loan.</p><p>The motion was approved 6-1 with Councilman Charlie Alfano voting against it. He felt the money should be carried over toward payments in 2018.</p><p>Borough manager Savino Bonita said last year&#8217;s mileage of 0.2 for fire protection was enough to raise the money for a fire truck payment of $41,000, but the fire department received a grant to help cover debt.</p><p>&#8220;That $12,000 was money we had to place into escrow because they used the grant, and we paid the balance, so we couldn&#8217;t use it for any other purpose,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to advance it onto the principal and interest.&#8221;</p><p>In other business, council members:</p><p>&#8226; Approved applying for multiple Local Share Account gambling-revenue grants. The grants being sought would be for a police vehicle for roughly $45,000; a fire emergency vehicle for close to $41,000; and a public works vehicle for about $73,000.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jimmy Fisher</p><p>jfisher@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>WHAT&#8217;S NEXT </strong></p><p>The next West Pittston Borough Council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, in the municipal building, 555 Exeter Ave.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher</p></shirttailMeta></div>

West Pittston council approves 2018 budget with no tax hike