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The Cornwall Borough Council advertised its drafted 2023 budget at Monday’s meeting.
The draft budget, which will be available on Cornwall’s website before next month’s meeting, keeps taxes the same as last year.
Council President Bruce Harris noted that the budget underbudgets revenues and overbudgets expenses. It anticipates revenues and expenditures each to total $3,105,062.05.
It allots funds for another police officer, totaling eight full-time, and another full-time highway employee, totaling five full-time.
Harris also announced that the City of Lebanon Authority (COLA) water and sewer rates have been increased, which will be passed on to borough residents with around a 10% increase in cost.
While Cornwall receives both water and sewer services from COLA, Harris noted that the borough is in discussion with Elizabethtown Borough regarding the possible purchase of Miner’s Lake, or the “open pit,” to supply Cornwall residents with water. The borough would need to construct a water treatment plant.
Harris said that 500,000 gallons of water could be pumped from the lake daily without lowering water levels. The borough averages around 250,000 in use per day, with a maximum of 325,000 per day from COLA.
Harris said that excess water could potentially be sold to neighboring municipalities.
It was also noted that solicitor Josele Cleary is looking to reduce her workload with the borough. The council, after some discussion, opted to send the matter to the Property and Finance Committee to meet with Cleary prior to taking any action.
Prior to that decision, Harris suggested keeping Cleary on water and sewer matters and hiring another solicitor for council matters. Several council members, as well as Mayor Mark Thomas, voiced a preference for a local lawyer who can attend council meetings and has a local office.
In other business, the council:
- Heard a concern from the owner of 79 Silver Road, who is trying to sell the property, that neighbors are blocking the road and threatening herself and a prospective buyer. Council advised the owner to call the police immediately if this happens again.
- Heard a concern from several residents concerning Jake Brakes being used within city limits, where their use is prohibited.
- Unanimously agreed to a time extension until Jan. 31 for the Cornwall Manor Woods Campus Project.
- Tabled a decision about joining the Cornwall-Lebanon Regional Comprehensive Plan.
- Unanimously approved the purchase of two vehicles, for the highway and police departments.
- Informed attendees about an upcoming public meeting, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, to inform about Cornwall’s water supply.
- Unanimously authorized conditional approval for the stormwater management plan for a residential property on Rexmont, leaving approval to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Unanimously accepted the resignation of Eric Tobias from the police department.
- Unanimously authorized a small amendment to the ordinance concerning the Administration of UCC.
- Unanimously accepted the dedication of the Bollard subdivision, in water and sewer business.
- Unanimously authorized a handicap parking spot at 361 Boyd St.
- Unanimously approved the minutes of its Oct. 10 meeting.
- Unanimously approved reports including the treasurer’s report, secretary’s report, director’s water and sewer reports, and more.
Cornwall Borough Council meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.
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