Dec 16, 2003 By Christine Haines 3 min read

BROWNSVILLE – Council president Jack Lawver is crediting cooperation between Brownsville Borough Council and the Teamsters Union for a balanced budget without a tax increase. “The Teamsters allowed us to go with four full-time (police) officers. We didn’t lay anyone off, but we were able to cut one position from the budget. We had one gentleman resign and we had never filled his spot,” Lawver said.

Lawver said the reduction of the police force from five to four full-time officers will result in a savings of about $40,000, including the wages, insurance and other benefits not being paid.

A month ago, the tentative budget was $69,000 short of being balanced without a tax increase. Lawver said a 2003 fund balance combined with the police savings allowed the council to keep other items, such as $5,000 in funding for the library, in the budget. Taxes will remain steady at 4.125 mills. Each mill generates about $47.278.30. The borough anticipates spending $618,568.14 from the general fund in 2004 and $65,732.29 in highway aid funds.

Residents were reminded that it is illegal to shovel snow onto a roadway. Councilman Martin Redigan said shoveling the snow onto the road causes problems for the snowplow. He also urged residents to make sure their vehicles are parked close to the curb, or moved off the street entirely to make it easier for the plow to maneuver.

“If these people are going to insist on parking at intersections like this, your street isn’t going to be plowed, and don’t complain to us,” Redigan said.

Redigan also asked residents living near fire hydrants to shovel around the hydrants so the hydrants can be seen in the event of an emergency.

Council also acted on a request from Redigan to adopt an ordinance banning trucks from Angle Street between High Street and Second Street.

Redigan said a moving van recently got stuck on the hill, causing damage to the road.

Council also took action that would allow the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation to acquire a house on Clover Street through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s property disposition program. The house will then be rented or sold to a low- to middle-income family.

Councilman Scott Rohrer, who will be leaving council at the end of the month, was presented with an engraved watch to commemorate his 12 years on council.

Rohrer thanked all of the people who have helped him over the years, including a number of former and late council members.

“I think I never did anything for this town. We did it together as a council,” Rohrer said. “I might come back. I’m going to miss it. Brownsville’s always in my heart and always will be.”

The council also reappointed Bernard Dolobach to another five-year term on the Brownsville Municipal Authority.