Sewickley Herald

              
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Suburban Pittsburgh's Largest Audited Paid Newspapers
y«i. 77 N«. 48
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Wednesday, November 24, 1976
Twerity Cents
Sewickley's budget
would up tax 2 mills
Rising costs to maintain Sewickley borough are reflecting in the 1977 tentative budget of $958,445 presented at council’s November 15 meeting. The budget, prepared by borough manager James Donley, is based on a tax hike from 26 mills lo 28 and an increase in sewage service charge.
With '77 expenditures estimated at $971,375and income at $958,445 the budget is unbalanced, some of which would be offset if there is a balance at the end of ’76, Donley said.
If the budget is accepted as presented,
' the figures show that it will cost $114,439; > more to run the borough in ’77 than in ’76.
The adoption deadline is November 31, however, on the recommendation of President Clinton L. Childs, Jr., council will further study the financial picture.
Commenting oil the increases, it was noted that police department expenditures are up .$38,000which include increases of $9,000 for insurance, $900 for uniforms and $18,000 for sergeant salaries.
One reasoh for the increase in sergeants costs, according to Mayor' William’ C.
' Gourley, Jr., is that the department will have three officers with the rank instead of ^ two. However, he said, “With one man transferred to sergeant, there will be a decrease in patrolmen and deskmen.” .
In', further. explanation, Councilman , Robert B. Wood Wid, “Astudy made by the state’s Department of Community Affairs recommends three sergeants. This means a four per 'cent increase of the base salary plus allowance for a cost of living raise.’’
It .was also explained by. Councilman : James P. Cronin that ’77 would be the third and final year of the police contract. As salaries increase," pensions also increase, Donley, added; which shows in the budget as .$19,000 over the pension allowance for '76.
Councilman James K. Maloney, calling for a “cut in all areas" also expressed concern that the proposed tax raise would
put Sewickley within two mills of the state set limit of 30 mills.
However, according to Cronin5 legislation is now underway to raise the limit. Before calling for the special budget study session, Childs pointed out that there were expenditures that could not be cut such as the $20,000 to Quaker Valley Ambulance Authority.
Osborne proposes two mill cut
Osborne residents will receive a tax cut of two mills in 1977, The decrease came about , when Osborne Borough Council met in a special session, Friday, Nov. 19, to vote, on the 1977 budget.
What we have here is recognition that we. * are at the peak end of the local boroughs (in taxes), and that we’re trying to do . something about it, 'councilman Maximilian C. Schoetz explained. Council unanimously approved a budget of $96,270 \ calling for a tax rate of 24 mills for general purposes and three mills, debt service.
The 1976 tax rate stands at 26 mills plus three mills, debt service.
The 1977 budget includes $8,775, administration; $3,000, tax collection’ $20,875, police force; $2,050, fire protection; $2j025, ambulance, service; $7,950, sanitary sewers, collection system ; $10,506, sanitary ¿ewers, disposal system; $5,17 ; garbage and rubbish* $22,120, highways; $900, social security taxes; $1,400 insurance-workmen’s compensation' and .comprehensive liability;' $7,500, ‘police fund contingency; and $4,000, increase in sewage costa, for a total of *$96,270.
SEWICKLEY 1976-SEWlCKLEY GETS SET FOR THANKSGIVING with cousins coining by the dozens to celebrate .in the traditional trip to the groaning board. The Thanksgiving season is.also the beginning of the annual holiday rush and we can tell you right now there are just 25 days left until Christmas. Sewickley merchants help the Herald set the mood of the season in the picture above. . The crock is on sale at the Bird In The Hand Gallery; the flower arrangement by Hugh McMaster, Florist and the background by Abercrombie’s Wallpaper & Paint Store.	..	(Photo by Wendt)
Traffic control at bridge, Sewickley topic
Sewickley Borough continues to collide with state bureaucracy in an effort to improve the traffic control system at Ohio River Boulevard and Sewickley Bridge intersection.
Pottcpraid
Sewickley Police staged a raid on a saver St. fortune teller last Friday orning and made an arrest.
A woman, who allegedly told the fortune special policewoman Delores M. Stultz the Sewickley Police Dept., was charged th fortune telling and was scheduled to •pear before Di$t. Justice of the Peace imes E. Russo on Nov. 2$.
According to Sewickley Police, they ceived a-complaint against Arinie Guy, lose professional name is Mrs. Ivy, rlier this month from a woman who said r sister had given Mrs. Ivy $150 to get rid evil spirits in her body.
Policewoman Stultz visited Mrs. Ivy s Bond floor apartment at 522 Beaver St. Nov. is and had her fortune told for $10, rs. Ivy insured a happy love life for the rchase of a love candle costing an ad-ional $10. Mrs. Ivy was arrested after cepting the money for the love candle •m the policewoman. After that, the wlcldey Police moved in.
According to borough manager James Donley at council’s November 15 meeting, a scheduled meeting concerning the controls didn’t come off when representatives from the Traffic Control Department of PennDOT did not keep the appointment.	1
Donléy said this meeting would have firmed design of the Controls which would • have been brought to council’s November session for approval. , • . - ‘
(For eight years, Sewickley has been trying to convince PennDOT of the dire need for directional turn signals at the boulevard-bridge intersection, the scene of almost daily accidents,)
In council consideration Of 1977 budget matters (see budget story elsewhere in the Herald) unanimous approval was given a request by Cochran Hose Company to. up its annital cohtraCt from $7500 to $8000, needed to help meet rising costs of equipment and services,
Commenting on the request, Chief Hugh A. McMaster said, “This is the smallest increase in the borough. And we have projected this as a reasonable amount’,"’ •The Cochran Hose Company through the fire committee will contact Haysville and Osborne Boroughs on a service charge increase; Haysville pays $200 per fire call and Osborne pays a $500 a year retainer plus $200 per fire call.
Chief McMaster was one of two names proposed for a vacancy on the Sewickley Water Commission through the resignation of Robert Y. Kopf, Jr. Also proposed for the term which expires December 31, 1980 was attorney Stephen P. Nash of Sewickley Heights.
- With recommendations and compliments to, the abilities of both men, President Childs asked for a vote naming McMaster or tabling the appointment until' further study.	,
The poll vote ending in a tie was broken by Mayor William G, Gourley, Jr., deciding in favor of tabling the appointment.
..Council, also reappointed Virginia N. Harriger and Arthur V. Wiebel to five year terms ort the Sewickley Valley Hospital Authority.
It was the suggestion of Councilman James ft. Maloney that the representatives pursue the possibility of a bonus parking rate to encourage hospital visitors and employees to use the hospital’s newly constructed parking garage.
Councilman George W. Edel reported a $2,000 deficit in (he $5,000 budget of the Sewickley Community Center Pool. Expenditures amounting to over $8,000 were attributed to inclement weather ’ and unexpected repairs. Council will assume responsibility for part of the deficit.
Councilman Robert B. Wood will explore through the County Planning Commission the availability of state n, ney to assist those below a Certain income level in upgrading their property.
Sewage rates go up in Sewickley
Sewickley sewage rates will be raised 78 per cent or increased to equal 100 per cent of the water rate. The raise is the first since 1970 according to Councilman GcOrge D, Lawrence, sewage committee chairman, at Sewickley’s November 15 meeting,
Accprding to Lawrence, in 1970 sewage was $7.69 or 14.4 per Cent over the water rate of $6.72. While the Water charge has, over the past six years, risen to $13.70, sewage has remained the same and is now .56 per cent of the water rate.
The total budgeted cost for sewage in 1977 is $157,800 including operation of the plant and amortization, With a projected income of $124,000, Lawrence points out that there is a difference of $*33,000 in the budget \ figure.
The increase is needed to cover costs, repairs and for sinking fund number two.