Dec 31, 2002 By April Straughters 3 min read

CENTERVILLE – Centerville Borough Council approved its 2003 budget Monday, including some last-minute changes, but no real estate tax increase. Councilman Patsy Ricciuti said the $1,792,381 budget was restructured, cutting $5,000 donations to each of the borough’s fire departments and $10,000 set aside for the hiring of part-time workers. An additional $500 was added to the Fredericktown Library fund, bringing the borough’s donation to $1,500, according to Ricciuti.

The borough’s millage will remain at 26 mills. One mill is equal to $14,183.

Ricciuti said council feels the $5,000 cut from Richeyville and Denbo-Vesta 6 fire departments will not financially hurt the departments who he said received $6,700 from the volunteer fire relief program last month.

“We felt they had enough sources of income and that they don’t need money from the borough whatsoever,” Ricciuti said.

Ricciuti said he had received some complaints about the cuts to the department, and said if the departments find themselves financially distressed in the future, council will help.

“If they need money or have short falls in the upcoming year, we will be happy to accommodate if we can,” Ricciuti.

President Ed Sukal said that if the departments feel they are in need of the $5,000 donation they should allow council to review their audit reports to see the need.

Ricciuti said the $10,000 allocated for part-time street department workers was cut because the borough hired two full-time workers three months ago.

The 2003 budget allows for some improvements within the borough, including new purchases, street improvement and the expansion of the police department.

“I thought the budget was good. We came out with a surplus that we can live with. And this year we have a rainy day fund. We are financially solid as far as the budget is concerned,” Ricciuti said.

Council increased the borough’s public safety program by $78,403 to $209,405 in 2003, the increase will allow for the hiring of a part-time officer ($12,500) and the purchase of a new police vehicle ($25,000).

With the new hire, the borough’s police department will provide 24-hour protection.

The 2003 budget also allows for the purchase of a $28,000 dump truck for the road crew and a new tractor for cutting grass.

The truck purchase will bring the borough to four dump trucks. The money will come out of the $118,132 general government fund.

Money budgeted for highways, roads and streets is up by $156,647 next year to $520,547, for overall street improvements, which have already been initiated.

The budget also shows a $66,900 increase in tax collection next year for a total of $614,300.

In other business the council decided to continue to meet the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.