Dec 13, 2002 By April Straughters 4 min read

CALIFORNIA – California Council approved 2003’s $1,168,247 budget Thursday, including a substantial cut in the police departments’ budget, forcing the layoff of two full-time police officers. All four members in attendance approved the budget, which keeps the real estate tax at 33 mills, with 28 mills going to the general fund, two mills to street improvements and three mills to the fire department.

Council members, President Art Harris, John Mariscotti and John Greenlief were absent from the meeting.

The issue of the layoffs did not come up until the end of the meeting when former councilman Nick Caruso angrily addressed council on the matter.

Caruso asked council a number of questions and grew irritated during his remarks at times getting into a shouting match with council and borough Solicitor Michael Savona.

Answering one of Caruso’s questions, Joy Walmsley of Macken Engineering, at the request of council, told Caruso the borough currently has 5.200 citizens.

“These are the people who just approved a $1 million budget, without those numbers. I never did figure out why you decided to lay off those officers and according to statistics you need those officers,” Caruso said.

“You spend money like it belongs to someone else and that’s your money and that’s my money you’re spending.”

Caruso, still upset with the “in lieu of taxes agreement” council made with California University for the building Phase II of the Jefferson at California residential complex in the summer, said council should go to the university for financial help. He accused council of giving borough property to the university something both Councilman Jon Bittner and Savona rebutted saying Caruso should check his facts.

Mayor Galvie Gardner previously said that the cuts and layoffs were necessary to balance the budget without a tax increase.

Gardner said the police department budget cut and the lay-off of two full-time officers are due to an increase in lawsuits, lawyers fees and an ongoing problem at the sewage plant that has raked up a number of citations and fines by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Police Chief Steve Silbaugh has said he is concerned that the department won’t be able to provide the same level of protection it has in the past and said he is also concerned with the safety of his officers.

One officer will be on duty from the hours of 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. and two officers will be on duty form 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Both Bittner and Councilman Robert Sepesy said if, in a few months, it is proven that the borough’s protection has been compromised because of the layoffs, they will both “revisit the issue.”

But Sepesy said he does not “concur” with Silbaugh’s concerns and feels the borough will be adequately protected.

“We’ll still have protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Sepesy said.

“With all sincerity in my heart, we only have so much money. We had a deficit from last year. There were no other alternatives, plus we are really hurting in our street department.”

Bittner agreed.

“I feel our citizens will be protected and if someone show me in the next few months that is not that case then that is in issue I will revisit,” Bittner said.

“In no way, shape or form, do I want to put anyone at peril. I live here with my family, I would not put them in jeopardy or anyone else, for that matter.”

Major revenue sources in the 2003 budget are, $350,000 in real estate taxes, $180,000 in earned income tax, $83,000 in vehicle fines and $55,000 in parking meter collections.

Expenditures include $153,000 police salary, $99,000 street crew salary, $55,000 for street light operation, $55,000 for insurance, $52,00 in social security costs and $50,00 in workers’ compensation.

Council also approved its $1,299,950 sewer fund and its $136,482 highway aid budget.

Council continued its regular meeting to Dec. 18 at 4 p.m.