W-b Pushes For Full-count In 2000 Census

Abortion Blasphemes God's Gift Of Life And The Promise Of Christmas What May 
One Say Of Christmas That Has Not Already Been Put To Paper, Recited Or Sung? 
Poets And Apostles Alike Have Ever Published Its Praises, Proclaiming The Hope 
And Peace Of That Miraculous Birth One Night Nearly 2,000 Years Ago. So 
Exclusively Magnificent And Momentous An Event, However, Warrants The 
Retelling; And Pray God, It Always Will.

Friday, December 18, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





WILKES-BARRE &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TOWNSHIP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Continued tax freeze pleases local officials &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Township Attorney Bruce J. Phillips had reason to gloat after Thursday
night's special meeting: No new taxes will be included in the budget for the
fiscal year 1999. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We've now had no tax increase in over 11 years," Phillips said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The township's millage rate of 25 mills has remained the same "forever,"
said President Carl Kuren. A mill is a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed
property value. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite the relatively static tax rate, five amendments were made to the
$2.65 million package as a result of input from a public hearing on the budget
and from a "joint venture" among Mayor Robert Delescavage and the council. The
amendments showed everyone had a say in budget decisions, according to council
Vice President Lorraine Mrackoski. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The amendments call for several salary changes: the salary of the
township's administrative secretary will be increased to $11,850, as will
those of four highway workers, to a total of $103,052. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Police Department will receive an increase in the salaries of two of
its clerks, as well as an additional $17,000 for the leasing of two new
vehicles. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In other business: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council members approved a resolution regarding the future of some township
funds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council members will invest funds from the township's sewer bond issue in a
Chase Manhattan money market fund. The funds are idle because construction on
the sewer project won't start until the spring of 1999. Phillips read a letter
from Chase that suggested investing these funds at a rate of about 5 percent
until they are to be used. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council members passed an ordinance to change the distance between
billboards from 300 to 500 feet, now in accordance with PennDOT standards. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council members introduced a ordinance allowing for an agreement between
the township and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry to
relocate the sewer lines on Highland Boulevard. This agreement was made in
regard to the Wilkeswood Apartments, where the township is taking over the
sewer system and pump station. A public hearing for the ordinance will be at
7:15 p.m. on Jan. 14. &amp;

(!nocat!)tlnews (!page!)19a (!pubdate!)1218 (!notes!)