LEWIS RUN – In a special meeting on Friday, Lewis Run Borough
officials passed the 2006 budget with no increase in taxes.

However, officials intend to raise the Emergency Municipal
Services Tax to $40. On Jan. 26 at noon, borough council will hold
a special meeting to pass an ordinance to raise the EMS tax amount
to $40. This is the former $10 Occupational Privilege Tax for those
who work in the borough.

Millage in the borough remains at 1.25 mills. The three balanced
budgets include, for the general fund, $219,000; for the sewer,
$153,000; and for the water, $92,000. Water fees will be increased
$1 per month per equivalency dwelling unit, which raised the budget
$6,000 to a grand total of $92,000.

Borough Council Chairman Frank Langianese explained the $1 raise
was due to the maintenance and repairs needed on the reservoir. He
also said that they will need to update the meters and have them
adjusted on Jan. 4.

Langianese said they have not yet heard from the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection regarding tests conducted on
borough water wells on Dec. 20.

Previously, officials said the DEP told them to stop using well
number two because it contained benzene. Even without the use of
well number two, borough officials say their spring is supplying
sufficient water at this time.

“As long as it keeps working – if it goes bad, we are in serious
trouble,” said Langianese.

Langianese also announced the borough received a grant in the
amount of $25,000 to fix Egbert Lane in the borough. He said the
other half of the grant will be available next year.

The borough will have a reorganizational meeting on Jan. 3 at
7:30 p.m. Sworn in will be new councilmen at that time including
Diane DeCasper and Joe Cucuzza. After Cucuzza is sworn in, he will
resign to become a borough employee, said Langianese. Langianese
will also be sworn in, as will mayor Albert Montecalvo.