Susquehanna adopts 2018 budget

Susquehanna Borough Council adopted its 2018 budget of nearly $420,000 at its Wednesday, Dec. 13 meeting.
Property owners in the borough will see no tax increase for the coming year, with millage holding at 25.7 mils.
After eight years on borough council, the December meeting marked Joe Varsik’s final council meeting. Varsik is the current council president. He did not seek re-election.
Varsik told his fellow council members that serving with them had been a “pleasure” and that he believed the borough is now in a “good spot.”
He also said he would be available to help with the park project as it develops.
Councilman Roy Williams said Varsik had been a “calming force” over the years and would be missed.
Borough solicitor Michael Briechle told council that he was looking at several ancillary issues connected to the park project – such as access.
Exchange Street is not equipped to handle significant traffic, Briechle said.
A traffic engineer will be providing a first level, preliminary analysis of the area.
Council appointed two members to also serve on the River Bounty Board of Directors. Oakland Township, Barnes-Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna Borough, and the county have a seat, or seats, on that board.
Currently, Briechle told council members, the board is not active because there are not enough members to form a quorum.
Council appointed Dana Rockwell and Roy Williams to serve on the River Bounty Board. Varsik said he would act as an alternate.
The borough solicitor said board members do take on a responsibility and there are issues to rectify with the dam.
Williams said, “It’s not the fun thing to do, but it’s the right thing to do.”
Rockwell said the dam, which blew out several years ago and was not repaired, was an “eyesore and a hazard.”
In the coming year, the council will consider getting rid of the borough’s Land Development and Subdivision Ordinance and signing on to the county SALDO.
Council reorganizes in January, with Sue Crawford and Rose Hendrickson being sworn in as council members. There will be one vacancy on the borough council.