Morton hikes taxes, fees in 2020 spending plan
MORTON >> Council will adopt the 2020 budget at a special meeting set for
7 p.m. Thursday, with a possible real estate tax increase of .761 mills to meet estimated general fund expenditures of $2,455,377. If approved, the proposed millage rate would go from
11.467 mills to 12.228 mills. This equates to a $45.66 real estate tax increase on a home assessed at $60,000.
The preliminary budget approved by council earlier this month calls for a refuse collection/recycling fee increase of $23 per household, from $233 to $256. The sewer fee would be set at $12.19 per 1,000 gallons of water usage, which is a 53 cent increase from the current $11.66.
Council President Mario Cimino’s final regular council meeting on Dec. 11 was marked by a round of congratulatory plaques, citations and good wishes. Cimino, a Democrat, was first elected 12 years ago. He decided not to seek reelection this past November. He received certificates of recognition from the state of Pennsylvania from state Sen. Tim Kearney, D-26 of Swarthmore, and state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-165 of Springfield, who characterized Cimino as being “a dedicated environmentalist.”
Police Chief Joseph LaSpina presented a plaque to Cimino on behalf of his department. “Mario has been a council member for 12 years, a great person in the community, we’re really going to miss him,” LaSpina said.
Councilwoman Michelle Miller gave Cimino a parting gift from council members - a gleaming gavel mounted on a wooden plaque. “You have a great future ahead of you,” Miller predicted as she handed the gavel to Cimino. “All I can say, we’ll have a tall hat to fill,” Councilwoman Michele Robert quipped, referring to the top hat Cimino was know to sport at various borough events.
In his parting remarks, Cimio said he is not going anywhere. “I plan to become part of the initiatives going forward,” he said. Cimino paid tribute to outgoing Republican Councilman Charles Lillicrapp, who was appointed by the Democratic-controlled council to finish out the term
of a council member who resigned. Cimino noted that Lillicrapp has spent nearly a half of century of service to the borough. “I learned a lot from Mr. Lillicrapp when I served as finance committee chairman,” Cimino said, adding praise for Lillicrapp’s”good fiscal management.” Cimino had high praise for the current and previous councils and the police department. He said one of his greatest accomplishments was bringing borough Manager Bob Poole on board. Poole is the first manager the borough has had. He also noted the
20-year tenure of borough Secretary Martha Preston. During the business portion of the meeting, LaSpina accepted a symbolic check for
$60,000 from O’Mara for renovations to the police department.
O’Mara secured a state grant for the updating of the police station that had not been updated in more than
30 years. Recycling Committee Chairman Michele Roberts said there are about
100 recycling containers still available at no cost to residents and can be picked up at the borough hall.