(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Despite the mostly empty seats at the December 15 meeting, the New Brighton Borough Council moved ahead with the passing of several measures regarding the maintenance of finances heading into the new year.

Following a payment of the bills totaling $634,121.23 (including a $374,521.02 reimbursement), the Council approved the adoption of a 2023 balanced budget along with a $29 million tax millage–an amount that will mean no tax increase for the borough. Salaries for non-union employees were approved for a 1% raise for 2023, and the benefits were amended to include paid time off for regular part-time employees. “After three years of employment, they would be entitled to one week paid vacation,” stated borough manager Tom Albanese, “plus they could accrue an additional 1.5 days off for every 500 hours of work.”

The council also approved a year-end capital fund transfer that would transfer the remaining general fund to the 2023 pool, before approving a tax exoneration for the purchase of a property at 414 3rd Avenue by Jessica Wilson. The resolution drew concern from Council Vice President John Ramer and council member Jay Glover, but solicitor Ken Fawcett notified the council that there was no power that they could wield in this decision, leading to a reluctantly unanimous approval.

Twelve roads were approved for submission to be re-paved beginning in 2023, most of which are alleys and small stretches of road throughout the main borough “because they are in poor condition,” per Albanese. He also stated that several of the roads will be paved with “flex base” pavement, which will have to be re-sealed following a two-year period. The proposal for the road maintenance will be sent to Widmer Engineering.

The regular meeting closed with an executive session that the public would have been excluded from–if any members of the public were in attendance.