Montrose drops taxes

BY STACI WILSON

Montrose Council adopted the 2011 budget on Dec. 27 dropping taxes in the borough by two mills.

Millage was reduced from 16 to 14 mills, due mainly to an approximate quarter-million dollar carryover from 2010.

The borough’s projected expenditures of $982,465 are greater than the projected revenue of $873,286 but the carryover covered the budget’s projected deficit.

At the Jan. 3 meeting, council also opted to make changes in several employees’ rates of pay.

Street Master Ken DiPhillips was added to the borough’s benefit package and took a downward pay adjustment to reflect the move. His pay was set at $17.37 per hour with benefits. DiPhillips also received a three percent pay raise.

The rate of pay for the borough secretary’s position was set at $29,500 per year.

Police patrol officers rate of pay was set at $13 per hour; and three percent cost of living adjustments were given to Chief Dale Smith, Sgt. John Walker and police secretary Alice Walsh.

The rate of pay for the parking enforcement officer position was adjusted to $9.25 per hour.

The borough will also be advertising police officer positions. However, it was not determined if council would add an additional full-time officer or multiple part-time officers.

Meeting dates and times for the year were set. Council plans to meet on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m., with the exception of July and September when meetings will be held on the first Tuesday.

A second council meeting will be held on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.