Last evening, Tyrone Borough Council held its monthly meeting and unanimously approved its 2008 budget. It was indicated and passed as a balanced budget with no tax increase.
Within the approved budget, council reinstated the $1,200 for Tyrone youth sports that was taken out as part of the 2007 budget. Council also approved a new line item within the budget for annual expenses associated with a K-9 unit.
Not on the agenda was the proposed Gamesa Energy wind farm that could place 10-15 wind mills on the borough’s watershed property on Ice Mountain. Council will not vote on it until the new year, and with two new council members joining council in January, they will have to get caught up to speed with the proposal before a vote will be taken.
Members of the community attended the council meeting last night who oppose the wind farm proposal, and Gamesa Project Developer Josh Framel was also present to answer questions afterwards from the public and council members.
In other business, the borough has a new Code Enforcement Officer, James Metzgar, who was officially welcomed to the borough position at the November 5 meeting. Council also approved the hiring of a part-time police officer to the force, Matthew Plummer, who is a Bellwood native.
Robert Miller’s term on the Tyrone Borough Authority expires on December 31, 2007. Miller wished to remain on the Authority, and council unanimously approved his re-appointment to the TBA.
This was the last borough council meeting of 2007, and it was time to say good-bye to council members Bill Fink and Don Boytim. Mayor James Kilmartin thanked Fink and Boytim for their service to the Borough of Tyrone.
Boytim said he was appreciative of his experience while on council, through the positive and sometimes negative aspects that comes with serving the borough as a council member.
Fink was also appreciative and stated, “It’s been interesting.”
Tyrone Borough Council will hold its organizational meeting January 7. Newly elected councilpersons Pat Stoner and Mark Kosoglow will take their seats at that time.
