Williamsburg Borough Votes to Keep Millage Unchanged

The 2.778 rate that was the real estate tax millage last year, will continue to be the current millage rate for Williamsburg Borough residents for 2021.

Borough officials laid out budget plans for 2021 during last Monday evening’s meeting, Nov. 2. Any overage in the budget would be used to help purchase a new truck for the borough, go to the operating reserve fund or aid in streets and alleys and park maintenance and repair.

Councilmember Jim Foreso made a motion to adopt the same real estate millage by ordinance. Councilmember Ed Patterson seconded and the motion passed.

Borough Secretary Lisa Dishong told borough council members that the borough will be paying off the loan with the proposed State Route 866 project engineering fees in December 2020.

The budget also provides an increase of 3 percent in wages for borough employees and added a floating holiday to the personnel policy.

Councilmember Patterson made a motion to advertise the budget as required by law with Councilmember Paula Hamilton seconding. the motion passed. Councilmember Patterson praised Secretary Dishong for her “efforts with the budget.”

Halloween went well

Police Chief Rowdy Kagarise praised borough residents for Halloween, citing that there were no issues.

The event “went quite well, [and I] heard compliments about having it during the day,” Kagarise said.

Kagarise and borough Mayor Ted Hyle talked with borough councilmembers about the GenOn property located in the area (coming into town, across from the borough). Kagarise reported that more environmental studies were found regarding the property and any Pa. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permits were all closed.

The borough has been working on acquiring the property from GenOn officials. GenOn is a power-producing company, suppling electric power primarily to the northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

“We at least got to see where we can go with it,” Mayor Hyle told borough council. “A lot could be done for the community.”

Councilmember Bruce Hamilton made a motion to pursue talks with GenOn officials with Councilmember Hamilton seconding. The motion passed.

Mayor Hyle then presented the borough council with a letter from North Woodbury Township praising Chief Kagarise for his “invaluable” efforts during the President Trump re-election rally in Martinsburg two weeks ago. Mayor Hyle also praised Chief Kagarise and organizers for the “Cut the Pork” voter registration event in Williamsburg.

Mayor Hyle also announced that the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Company was awarded a $70,000 grant to purchase radios. The fire company cost will be $7,000.

Borough Manager Joe Lansberry talked about Rails to Trails fence located by the little league fields, which has a third missing. The Rails to Trails group wanted to know if it needed to replace fence.

Chief Kagarise said, “[There] definitely needs to be a fence by the park for safety issues.”

Manager Lansberry, who also serves on the Rails to Trails board, said that he would convey the message.

The borough is looking for a volunteer to put together the annual Christmas Parade. Those interested are urged to contact the borough office.