POTTSTOWN — Waste Management and the Pottstown Borough Authority have inked a 31-year contract for the treatment of the Pottstown Landfill's leachate that will provide $500,000 to borough coffers over the next five years.
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The contract puts an end to a $10 million lawsuit Waste Management filed against Pottstown in 2006 over the termination of the previous 10-year agreement for leachate treatment.Additionally, the 17-page agreement requires that the amount of leachate the landfill sends to the Pottstown Wastewater Treatment Plan continues to decrease over time, and applies additional fees if it does not."We're pleased we have been able to reach an agreement for treatment of wastewater in cooperation with both the borough and the authority," said Waste Management spokeswoman Patty Barthel."We believe it will benefit all parties, the Pottstown community and the environment," Barthel said.The contract was unanimously approved by the Borough Authority at its Aug. 19 board meeting, but it has not yet been the subject of a vote by Borough Council. Council may vote on the contract on Sept. 8, although the meeting agenda has not yet been made public.The agreement, which runs until 2036, is retroactive to 2006, which is the year the previous agreement governing leachate treatment was terminated, an event which was quickly followed by the $10 million lawsuit.Leachate is the name given to water, either rain or groundwater, which percolates through the rotting trash buried in the landfill, picking up a miasma of contaminants along the way, and drains out of the bottom through a drainage system.The leachate is treated by a facility at the landfill, which is located in West Pottsgrove, and is then pumped into a sewer pipe that runs down Manatawny Street.In the past, concerns had been raised about the health and liability dangers of the borough accepting flow which had the potential of containing tritium, a radioactive substance, or other potentially dangerous substances.Those concerns were often raised by Borough Councilman Stephen Toroney, who served on the state-sponsored Landfill Closure Committee, Pennsylvania's first, which set new parameters for the closure of the landfill.Toroney said he is generally pleased with the agreement."We tried to bring it in line with what the closure committee wanted to do and I was mainly concerned with making sure the leachate was gradually scaled back and that the landfill was billed accurately," Toroney said.According to the contract, a copy of which was obtained by The Mercury, Waste Management must reduce its leachate flow by 2 percent each year.A chart contained in the contract limits the 2008 capacity to 21.1 million gallons and requires a 432,200-gallon reduction in flow.By the end of the contract, the landfill's leachate flow is to have dwindled to 12 million gallons.Under the agreement, Waste Management must pay $1 for each 1,000 gallons of leachate over the annual limit that it sends to the sewer plant.The contract also sets the rates Waste Management will pay for leachate treatment, saying it will be treated like other industrial users; although, it caps those rates for three years.As an industrial user, the landfill will also be subject to the surcharges charged to companies whose effluent contains high levels of chemicals. This is a departure from the previous arrangement in which the landfill paid nominal fees, or none at all, in exchange for providing free recycling services to the borough as well as waiving the tipping fee for the borough's trash, something which suppressed the cost of trash collection in Pottstown for years.With the Department of Environmental Protection's closure of the landfill in 2005, the company was no longer able to provide that benefit to the borough.The $500,000 benefit to the borough will come in two phases. According to the contract, the first $250,000 phase is payable on or after Aug. 1 and the second will come Aug. 1, 2013.It has not yet been announced what Pottstown will do with the first $250,000 payment.Other items in the contract include a clause requiring Waste Management to clean, maintain and possibly replace a portion of the 8-inch sewer line under Manatawny Street.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/28/08 - http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=20095129&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=635482&rfi=8
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Financial planning aid brings needed direction
The process took a while and wound through some confusing turns, but Pottstown Borough Council's decision to take advantage of state help with financial planning is a step in the right direction.
Council voted 5-1 last week to accept a $35,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to participate in the Early Intervention Program.The program is designed to analyze and assess a municipality's operations and finances and to make suggestions for financial solvency and improved efficiency.The borough had applied for the grant last October and last month, a DCED representative visited council and asked why it had not acted after being informed it had been awarded the grant.Council asked for an additional month to consider the matter, given that a previous council had applied to the program and for some reason the $35,000 in matching funds the borough must provide was not included in the 2008 budget.That scenario alone illustrates why this program will be beneficial for Pottstown. The borough has struggled in recent years with financial missteps and lack of communication on key issues regarding finance.Just two weeks ago, the borough finance director resigned to take another job, leaving that key position vacant at the start of the 2009 budget planning process.Councilman Jody Rhoads cast the only no vote against the proposal, citing the $35,000 match as something the borough can not afford.Truth is, the borough can not afford not to accept this offer, even with a matching pricetag. The potential for increasing efficiency in managing borough finances is too important -- and carries too large a potential for payback -- to reject. Before voting on the proposal, council heard a report outlining a number of steps Easton, which is similar to Pottstown in tax base and demographics, could take to keep from continually raising property taxes."For $30,000 I hope we are not going to just get a book with the recommendations that were given to other towns," Rhoads said.But Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas pointed out that Pottstown could further reduce the costs by providing some "in-kind" services from staff."I never want to go through a budget anything like we did in 2006," she said. "We are the watchdogs for the taxpayers and we have to do whatever we can."Council Vice-president Greg Berry called the vote "perhaps the most significant vote taken for financial stability for the rest of the borough."Berry added, "This will finally help us deal with some management issues that have burdened us in past years."A plan that can help correct some of those issues and increase efficiency is indeed needed and welcome here.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/20/08 - http://www.pottsmerc.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20082061&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=635485&rfi=6
Council voted 5-1 last week to accept a $35,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to participate in the Early Intervention Program.The program is designed to analyze and assess a municipality's operations and finances and to make suggestions for financial solvency and improved efficiency.The borough had applied for the grant last October and last month, a DCED representative visited council and asked why it had not acted after being informed it had been awarded the grant.Council asked for an additional month to consider the matter, given that a previous council had applied to the program and for some reason the $35,000 in matching funds the borough must provide was not included in the 2008 budget.That scenario alone illustrates why this program will be beneficial for Pottstown. The borough has struggled in recent years with financial missteps and lack of communication on key issues regarding finance.Just two weeks ago, the borough finance director resigned to take another job, leaving that key position vacant at the start of the 2009 budget planning process.Councilman Jody Rhoads cast the only no vote against the proposal, citing the $35,000 match as something the borough can not afford.Truth is, the borough can not afford not to accept this offer, even with a matching pricetag. The potential for increasing efficiency in managing borough finances is too important -- and carries too large a potential for payback -- to reject. Before voting on the proposal, council heard a report outlining a number of steps Easton, which is similar to Pottstown in tax base and demographics, could take to keep from continually raising property taxes."For $30,000 I hope we are not going to just get a book with the recommendations that were given to other towns," Rhoads said.But Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas pointed out that Pottstown could further reduce the costs by providing some "in-kind" services from staff."I never want to go through a budget anything like we did in 2006," she said. "We are the watchdogs for the taxpayers and we have to do whatever we can."Council Vice-president Greg Berry called the vote "perhaps the most significant vote taken for financial stability for the rest of the borough."Berry added, "This will finally help us deal with some management issues that have burdened us in past years."A plan that can help correct some of those issues and increase efficiency is indeed needed and welcome here.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/20/08 - http://www.pottsmerc.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20082061&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=635485&rfi=6
Monday, August 18, 2008
Pottstown council moves money to finance project in Memorial Park
POTTSTOWN — A recent Borough Council meeting was marked by passionate pleas to allow people to have as many pets as they want, or to help solve problems in a particular neighborhood.
But after those exclamations were made, and the people who made them had left, Borough Council quietly took two votes authorizing the spending of more than $1.2 million.The first vote authorized Finance Director Robert Armelin to take out a "lease-installment loan" for $674,130.The money is not debt, Armelin said, and will be used to buy new equipment for Pottstown Community Television and a number of "general fund" expenses including new police cars.The second vote was to incur debt, $620,000 of it to be exact.This money is to pay for a new snack bar and miniature golf course on "the island" portion of Memorial Park.The money would be borrowed for 10 years and an interest rate of 5.438 percent would be paid upon the borrowing.However property taxpayers are not expected to be on the hook for the payments.Under the plan, the payments will be generated by the fees to play miniature golf as well as the profit generated by the snack bar, which will also be patronized by those who use the splash park now under construction in the park."This expense will be offset by the revenue from these projects and right now we're looking pretty good with that," Armelin said.Another vote will be necessary to finalize the borrowing he said.Both financing deals were made through a company called Municipal Services Group.Financing on another major project, building new hangars at Pottstown Municipal Airport, part of the borough's strategic economic plan, did not go through however.Armelin said the borough received only one financial bid on that project and he was attempting to get more bidders involved in order to drive down the price.Councilman Stephen Toroney expressed concern that holding up the project would hold up the economic revitalization the project is supposed to encourage.However, Council President David Garner urged caution, and said waiting one more month to get the best deal, would be financially prudent.Like the parks and recreation project, the revenue from renting the hangars is expected to cover the cost of the financing the project.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/18/08 - http://www.pottsmerc.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20021686&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
But after those exclamations were made, and the people who made them had left, Borough Council quietly took two votes authorizing the spending of more than $1.2 million.The first vote authorized Finance Director Robert Armelin to take out a "lease-installment loan" for $674,130.The money is not debt, Armelin said, and will be used to buy new equipment for Pottstown Community Television and a number of "general fund" expenses including new police cars.The second vote was to incur debt, $620,000 of it to be exact.This money is to pay for a new snack bar and miniature golf course on "the island" portion of Memorial Park.The money would be borrowed for 10 years and an interest rate of 5.438 percent would be paid upon the borrowing.However property taxpayers are not expected to be on the hook for the payments.Under the plan, the payments will be generated by the fees to play miniature golf as well as the profit generated by the snack bar, which will also be patronized by those who use the splash park now under construction in the park."This expense will be offset by the revenue from these projects and right now we're looking pretty good with that," Armelin said.Another vote will be necessary to finalize the borrowing he said.Both financing deals were made through a company called Municipal Services Group.Financing on another major project, building new hangars at Pottstown Municipal Airport, part of the borough's strategic economic plan, did not go through however.Armelin said the borough received only one financial bid on that project and he was attempting to get more bidders involved in order to drive down the price.Councilman Stephen Toroney expressed concern that holding up the project would hold up the economic revitalization the project is supposed to encourage.However, Council President David Garner urged caution, and said waiting one more month to get the best deal, would be financially prudent.Like the parks and recreation project, the revenue from renting the hangars is expected to cover the cost of the financing the project.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/18/08 - http://www.pottsmerc.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20021686&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Pottstown to accept Early Intervention grant
POTTSTOWN — As borough leaders look to an uncertain economic future, they will have a set of suggestions to help cut costs and improve efficiencies.
With the 5-1 vote Monday, the Borough Council agreed to accept a $35,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to participate in the Early Intervention Program. The program is designed to analyze and assess a municipality's operations and finances and to make suggestions for financial solvency and improved efficiency.The borough had applied for the grant last October and last month, a DCED representative visited council and asked why it had not acted after being informed it had been awarded the grant.Council asked for an additional month to consider the matter, given that a previous council had applied to the program and for some reason the $35,000 in matching funds the borough must provide was not included in the 2008 budget.But when it became clear the money would not be required until 2009, the decision became easier.It became easier still when Borough Council President David Garner said he had been contacted by Ronald Downie, who serves as chairman of the Pottstown Borough Authority, and that Downie had suggested that perhaps the authority could contribute toward the cost.When he is not serving as Borough Council President, Garner is the solicitor for the borough authority."Mr. Downie stressed that he could not speak for the entire authority, but he does feel that this effort is very worthwhile and has merit" given that the same finance department serves both the borough and the authority.However two other members of the five-member authority, Don Read and Tom Carroll, were in the audience. Afterward, Carroll said he supports that idea and Read said he wants to consider it more, but added "I am not opposed to it."Cost had been the concern raised by Councilman Jody Rhoads who cast the only "no" vote on accepting the grant money."First of all, I believe we can't afford the $35,000 match," Rhoads said prior to voting. "Second, Pottstown can review the recommendations given to the two towns we have info on. We can contact those towns for their input and we can come up with our own solutions."Rhoads was referring to reports produced by the program in other municipalities. A report produced last year for Easton was provided to council members by Borough Council Vice President Greg Berry and featured in a Aug. 10 article in The Mercury.The report outlined a number of steps Easton, which is similar to Pottstown in tax base and demographics, could take to keep from continually raising property taxes."For $30,000 I hope we are not going to just get a book with the recommendations that were given to other towns," Rhoads said.But Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas pointed out that Pottstown could further reduce the costs by providing some "in-kind" services from staff."I never want to go through a budget anything like we did in 2006," she said. "We are the watchdogs for the taxpayers and we have to do whatever we can."Berry called the vote — which occurred after the audience, filled with those there to make neighborhood complaints and comment on a possible pet law, had dwindled, "perhaps the most significant vote taken for financial stability for the rest of the borough."Also, Berry said, "this will finally help us deal with some management issues that have burdened us in past years."Councilman Stephen Toroney added "we did approve it once. I thought it was a great idea back then and I still do."
Pottstown Mercury - 08/14/08 - http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=20016492&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=635482&rfi=8
With the 5-1 vote Monday, the Borough Council agreed to accept a $35,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to participate in the Early Intervention Program. The program is designed to analyze and assess a municipality's operations and finances and to make suggestions for financial solvency and improved efficiency.The borough had applied for the grant last October and last month, a DCED representative visited council and asked why it had not acted after being informed it had been awarded the grant.Council asked for an additional month to consider the matter, given that a previous council had applied to the program and for some reason the $35,000 in matching funds the borough must provide was not included in the 2008 budget.But when it became clear the money would not be required until 2009, the decision became easier.It became easier still when Borough Council President David Garner said he had been contacted by Ronald Downie, who serves as chairman of the Pottstown Borough Authority, and that Downie had suggested that perhaps the authority could contribute toward the cost.When he is not serving as Borough Council President, Garner is the solicitor for the borough authority."Mr. Downie stressed that he could not speak for the entire authority, but he does feel that this effort is very worthwhile and has merit" given that the same finance department serves both the borough and the authority.However two other members of the five-member authority, Don Read and Tom Carroll, were in the audience. Afterward, Carroll said he supports that idea and Read said he wants to consider it more, but added "I am not opposed to it."Cost had been the concern raised by Councilman Jody Rhoads who cast the only "no" vote on accepting the grant money."First of all, I believe we can't afford the $35,000 match," Rhoads said prior to voting. "Second, Pottstown can review the recommendations given to the two towns we have info on. We can contact those towns for their input and we can come up with our own solutions."Rhoads was referring to reports produced by the program in other municipalities. A report produced last year for Easton was provided to council members by Borough Council Vice President Greg Berry and featured in a Aug. 10 article in The Mercury.The report outlined a number of steps Easton, which is similar to Pottstown in tax base and demographics, could take to keep from continually raising property taxes."For $30,000 I hope we are not going to just get a book with the recommendations that were given to other towns," Rhoads said.But Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas pointed out that Pottstown could further reduce the costs by providing some "in-kind" services from staff."I never want to go through a budget anything like we did in 2006," she said. "We are the watchdogs for the taxpayers and we have to do whatever we can."Berry called the vote — which occurred after the audience, filled with those there to make neighborhood complaints and comment on a possible pet law, had dwindled, "perhaps the most significant vote taken for financial stability for the rest of the borough."Also, Berry said, "this will finally help us deal with some management issues that have burdened us in past years."Councilman Stephen Toroney added "we did approve it once. I thought it was a great idea back then and I still do."
Pottstown Mercury - 08/14/08 - http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=20016492&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=635482&rfi=8
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Pottstown looks to northern city's success
POTTSTOWN — The City of Easton's experience with a state program designed to make long-range financial plans offers a good example for what Pottstown might expect by participating, according to Borough Council Vice President Greg Berry.
Berry is among those on council who believe a vote Monday should engage the Department of Community and Economic Development to help select a financial consultant to come into Borough Hall to perform an in-depth analysis of the borough's finances and operation and help to provide a long-term financial plan.Last winter, the borough applied for and received a $30,000 grant from DCED to participate in the Early Intervention Program, but it has so far failed to follow up on the grant, which also requires a matching $30,000 commitment from the borough.Wednesday night, Berry shared a copy of the draft report Easton received in an attempt to illustrate to council members what sort of information Pottstown would obtain by participating."Our situation is not far off from theirs," Berry said.A copy of the report provided to The Mercury revealed there are many similarities between the economic challenges faced by Pottstown and Easton.Looking at Easton's financial condition in 2006, the report observed that "Easton has faced many of the same cost pressures as other older cities in the Commonwealth, with expenditures growing faster than revenues, from a fairly stable population and employment base."Further, according to the report, "growth in Easton trails that in other parts of Northampton County, despite its strategic location within a bi-state region of strong growth," much the way economic growth in Pottstown, strategically placed at the hub of a tri-county region, trails other parts of Montgomery County, one of the state's wealthiest counties.Much like Pottstown, "Easton's property tax rate is already the highest among Northampton County municipalities and its combined local, school district and county rate is second highest. Further reliance on the property tax as a source of new revenue may be limited," the report's executive summary warned.Easton, like Pottstown, is also "home to a large non-profit educational institution and much of Easton's 4.3 square-mile area is not subject to property taxes."In addition to The Hill School being off Pottstown's tax rolls, the borough is also home to many churches and county-funded social service agencies that do not pay property taxes.Also like Pottstown, "labor costs (especially benefits) have grown at a level above the rate of inflation" in Easton, the report observed.And, also like Pottstown, "the city has already undertaken many traditional responses to fiscal pressure," which include increased fees and increased property taxes."The city's real estate millage now exceeds those levied by neighboring municipalities by a considerable margin," the report said of Easton. "Continuing to raise property tax rates may place the city at a competitive disadvantage relative to its suburban jurisdictions."The plan offered by the consultants hired by the Early Intervention Program sought to find and provide ways for Easton to meet its increases expenditures with revenues other than constantly increasing property taxes.The city had already beaten the consultants to some of the punch, implementing new revenue streams in 2006 that included a "mechanical devices tax" and a police towing contract as well as eliminating 12 positions, increased employee co-pays for medical expenses and off-loading its weights and measures function to the county, the report noted.A four-stage plan was recommended to help Easton close its projected budget gap in the coming years.It included a change to the city charter allowing it to raise the city's share of earned income and deed transfer taxes.The second stage called for negotiating "payment in lieu of taxes" from local colleges and non-profit organizations; raising the per capita tax, implementing a parking lot tax, adding corporate sponsorship and advertising programs and increased fees for services.In the third stage, the city was advised to restructure ownership of the water system, eliminate pension and health insurance contributions for council members, establish performance benchmarks and service efficiency standards, introduce a yard waste recycling program to reduce landfill tipping fees, implement a capital management program and even implement a fire alarm registration fee.The final stage called for a one- or two-year wage freeze for all city employees, a 20 percent reduction of overtime expenses and reduce health care premiums through expenditure caps and wellness programs that would reduce the need for medical care."The final approach would balance the city's series of deficits without the need for a property tax increase at all," the report predicted."The recommendations laid out in this multi-year plan are designed to help the City of Easton become more efficient, more accountable and more effective — fundamental conditions for the city's financial sustainability and growth," the report concluded.Berry, who heads up Pottstown Borough Council's finance committee, has strongly endorsed participation in this program."We are unfortunately always catching up on prior year's issues, but now is a good time to move forward with long-term planning," Berry said Wednesday. "If not, we could be in a pretty bad situation."
Pottstown Mercury - 08/10/08 - http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19902519&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
Berry is among those on council who believe a vote Monday should engage the Department of Community and Economic Development to help select a financial consultant to come into Borough Hall to perform an in-depth analysis of the borough's finances and operation and help to provide a long-term financial plan.Last winter, the borough applied for and received a $30,000 grant from DCED to participate in the Early Intervention Program, but it has so far failed to follow up on the grant, which also requires a matching $30,000 commitment from the borough.Wednesday night, Berry shared a copy of the draft report Easton received in an attempt to illustrate to council members what sort of information Pottstown would obtain by participating."Our situation is not far off from theirs," Berry said.A copy of the report provided to The Mercury revealed there are many similarities between the economic challenges faced by Pottstown and Easton.Looking at Easton's financial condition in 2006, the report observed that "Easton has faced many of the same cost pressures as other older cities in the Commonwealth, with expenditures growing faster than revenues, from a fairly stable population and employment base."Further, according to the report, "growth in Easton trails that in other parts of Northampton County, despite its strategic location within a bi-state region of strong growth," much the way economic growth in Pottstown, strategically placed at the hub of a tri-county region, trails other parts of Montgomery County, one of the state's wealthiest counties.Much like Pottstown, "Easton's property tax rate is already the highest among Northampton County municipalities and its combined local, school district and county rate is second highest. Further reliance on the property tax as a source of new revenue may be limited," the report's executive summary warned.Easton, like Pottstown, is also "home to a large non-profit educational institution and much of Easton's 4.3 square-mile area is not subject to property taxes."In addition to The Hill School being off Pottstown's tax rolls, the borough is also home to many churches and county-funded social service agencies that do not pay property taxes.Also like Pottstown, "labor costs (especially benefits) have grown at a level above the rate of inflation" in Easton, the report observed.And, also like Pottstown, "the city has already undertaken many traditional responses to fiscal pressure," which include increased fees and increased property taxes."The city's real estate millage now exceeds those levied by neighboring municipalities by a considerable margin," the report said of Easton. "Continuing to raise property tax rates may place the city at a competitive disadvantage relative to its suburban jurisdictions."The plan offered by the consultants hired by the Early Intervention Program sought to find and provide ways for Easton to meet its increases expenditures with revenues other than constantly increasing property taxes.The city had already beaten the consultants to some of the punch, implementing new revenue streams in 2006 that included a "mechanical devices tax" and a police towing contract as well as eliminating 12 positions, increased employee co-pays for medical expenses and off-loading its weights and measures function to the county, the report noted.A four-stage plan was recommended to help Easton close its projected budget gap in the coming years.It included a change to the city charter allowing it to raise the city's share of earned income and deed transfer taxes.The second stage called for negotiating "payment in lieu of taxes" from local colleges and non-profit organizations; raising the per capita tax, implementing a parking lot tax, adding corporate sponsorship and advertising programs and increased fees for services.In the third stage, the city was advised to restructure ownership of the water system, eliminate pension and health insurance contributions for council members, establish performance benchmarks and service efficiency standards, introduce a yard waste recycling program to reduce landfill tipping fees, implement a capital management program and even implement a fire alarm registration fee.The final stage called for a one- or two-year wage freeze for all city employees, a 20 percent reduction of overtime expenses and reduce health care premiums through expenditure caps and wellness programs that would reduce the need for medical care."The final approach would balance the city's series of deficits without the need for a property tax increase at all," the report predicted."The recommendations laid out in this multi-year plan are designed to help the City of Easton become more efficient, more accountable and more effective — fundamental conditions for the city's financial sustainability and growth," the report concluded.Berry, who heads up Pottstown Borough Council's finance committee, has strongly endorsed participation in this program."We are unfortunately always catching up on prior year's issues, but now is a good time to move forward with long-term planning," Berry said Wednesday. "If not, we could be in a pretty bad situation."
Pottstown Mercury - 08/10/08 - http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19902519&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
Friday, August 8, 2008
Clock is ticking on financial grant
POTTSTOWN — The clock that is ticking while borough council decides whether to act on a grant it applied for last year to improve its financial planning just got a little faster.
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Wednesday night, Borough Council Vice President Greg Berry informed council that a "drop dead date" of Aug. 18 or Aug. 19 now looms over the decision.Last month, a representative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development wanted to know if the borough intended to act on a $35,000 grant for which it had applied and won.Borough Council President David Garner demurred, saying he had only just found out about the program a few days before and asked for a month to consider council's decision.But it turns out, Berry said, that one month is all council will have.He said his contact at DCED "was only just made aware" of the deadline, meaning council must vote Monday night or lose the grant.It is not free money.The borough is expected to match the grant with its own $35,000, although Garner said Assistant Borough Manager Jason Bobst found out that some of that can come in the form of in-kind services from borough staff.Further, Garner said, the money will not be due until 2009, giving the borough time to budget for it.Last month, Finance Director Robert Armelin told council that despite applying for the Early Intervention program grant, the borough had not budgeted for it in the 2008 budget.The program is designed to help municipalities, from those who are fiscally sound to those on a more unsteady footing, to improve their financial operations and efficiencies to better predict what challenges they will face in the future.The need for such a program was made evident last month when Armelin told council that he predicts the borough will end 2008 about $200,000 in the red.To make matters worse, he won't be here to see it.Armelin submitted his resignation to Borough Manager Ray Lopez on Tuesday, making him the fourth finance director the borough has seen leave in eight years.Armelin's predecessor, Joseph Schulcz Jr. was fired by the borough in early 2006 after a stormy tenure, during which he helped with the creation of a 2006 budget that has ramifications with which the borough is still dealing.After his dismissal, Lopez did double duty for eight months, serving as the finance director as well as the borough manager. During that time, a Harrisburg consulting firm was brought in to straighten out the books.Armelin, who has taken a job in Richland Township, Bucks County, started with Pottstown in September, 2006.His pending absence was an issue to which Berry referred earlier in the meeting Tuesday, saying "we have to prepare to transition to a new finance director or find an organization to help us through the budget season."He said the DCED grant may be just that, so long as borough council acts Monday night."We have to decide if we want to secure the funding for that so we're not dropped and that money then gets delivered to another municipality," Berry said.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/08/08 - http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19900059&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=635482&rfi=8
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Wednesday night, Borough Council Vice President Greg Berry informed council that a "drop dead date" of Aug. 18 or Aug. 19 now looms over the decision.Last month, a representative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development wanted to know if the borough intended to act on a $35,000 grant for which it had applied and won.Borough Council President David Garner demurred, saying he had only just found out about the program a few days before and asked for a month to consider council's decision.But it turns out, Berry said, that one month is all council will have.He said his contact at DCED "was only just made aware" of the deadline, meaning council must vote Monday night or lose the grant.It is not free money.The borough is expected to match the grant with its own $35,000, although Garner said Assistant Borough Manager Jason Bobst found out that some of that can come in the form of in-kind services from borough staff.Further, Garner said, the money will not be due until 2009, giving the borough time to budget for it.Last month, Finance Director Robert Armelin told council that despite applying for the Early Intervention program grant, the borough had not budgeted for it in the 2008 budget.The program is designed to help municipalities, from those who are fiscally sound to those on a more unsteady footing, to improve their financial operations and efficiencies to better predict what challenges they will face in the future.The need for such a program was made evident last month when Armelin told council that he predicts the borough will end 2008 about $200,000 in the red.To make matters worse, he won't be here to see it.Armelin submitted his resignation to Borough Manager Ray Lopez on Tuesday, making him the fourth finance director the borough has seen leave in eight years.Armelin's predecessor, Joseph Schulcz Jr. was fired by the borough in early 2006 after a stormy tenure, during which he helped with the creation of a 2006 budget that has ramifications with which the borough is still dealing.After his dismissal, Lopez did double duty for eight months, serving as the finance director as well as the borough manager. During that time, a Harrisburg consulting firm was brought in to straighten out the books.Armelin, who has taken a job in Richland Township, Bucks County, started with Pottstown in September, 2006.His pending absence was an issue to which Berry referred earlier in the meeting Tuesday, saying "we have to prepare to transition to a new finance director or find an organization to help us through the budget season."He said the DCED grant may be just that, so long as borough council acts Monday night."We have to decide if we want to secure the funding for that so we're not dropped and that money then gets delivered to another municipality," Berry said.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/08/08 - http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19900059&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=635482&rfi=8
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Pottstown finance director resigns
POTTSTOWN — Borough Finance Director Robert M. Armelin tendered a letter of resignation Tuesday, a borough official confirmed.Armelin's last day with the borough will be Aug. 22, according to Borough Manager Ray Lopez.Lopez said Armelin's resignation letter indicated he found "another opportunity of considerable benefit to my career." Armelin has accepted a position with Richland Township, Bucks County, Lopez said, although he could not confirm what title Armelin might hold at his new post."I was very disappointed to hear about Bob's resignation," said Greg Berry, vice president of borough council. "He did a real nice job with organizing and presenting our data — even if it wasn't good news."
Berry added that the borough is going to need someone to succeed Armelin in a leadership position to guide the borough through the upcoming budget season."Going into budget season the borough is going to need to have that accurate information," he said. "We need someone in a director's role with a strong background in municipal work."Berry added that he would like to see a third party do an exit interview with Armelin so that he might provide candid recommendations as to "what we can do better as a borough."Lopez said it's likely the borough will bring in an interim consultant to fill the position, "making sure we're staying within budget guidelines," during the search for Armelin's permanent replacement."It may take some time to find someone," Lopez said.Armelin, who has been with Pottstown since September 2006, has had some tough calls to make of late.Last month at a borough council meeting, Armelin predicted a $200,000 shortfall in the current borough budget by December. The only way to reduce the potential shortfall at year's end, Armelin said at the time, is to reduce borough expenses now."Last year at this point, things were a lot worse," Armelin said. "But we've got a better budget this year."Prior to Armelin, the position was filled by Joseph Schultz.Armelin failed to return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/06/2008
Berry added that the borough is going to need someone to succeed Armelin in a leadership position to guide the borough through the upcoming budget season."Going into budget season the borough is going to need to have that accurate information," he said. "We need someone in a director's role with a strong background in municipal work."Berry added that he would like to see a third party do an exit interview with Armelin so that he might provide candid recommendations as to "what we can do better as a borough."Lopez said it's likely the borough will bring in an interim consultant to fill the position, "making sure we're staying within budget guidelines," during the search for Armelin's permanent replacement."It may take some time to find someone," Lopez said.Armelin, who has been with Pottstown since September 2006, has had some tough calls to make of late.Last month at a borough council meeting, Armelin predicted a $200,000 shortfall in the current borough budget by December. The only way to reduce the potential shortfall at year's end, Armelin said at the time, is to reduce borough expenses now."Last year at this point, things were a lot worse," Armelin said. "But we've got a better budget this year."Prior to Armelin, the position was filled by Joseph Schultz.Armelin failed to return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment.
Pottstown Mercury - 08/06/2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Borough paid by Clinton campaign
POTTSTOWN — One day after The Mercury reported that the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton had not yet paid the borough for the expense involved with the campaign visit of her husband, the check arrived.Borough Manager Ray Lopez said a check for $3,847.08, which was the amount on the invoice the borough sent, arrived Thursday.And it was $300 more than the was received by the school district, which actually hosted the event.When former President Bill Clinton visited Pottstown High School March 27 to campaign for his wife's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, her campaign promised to reimburse the school district for its expenses.On Monday, the check for $3,542 arrived at the school district.After the visit, Pottstown Borough Authority member Don Read complained that the borough should also be reimbursed for its costs.Those costs included charges for man-hours and equipment for police coverage, public works and parks and recreation workers.
Lopez said he has no immediate plans for the money.But given that Finance Director Robert Armelin recently predicted a $200,000 shortfall in the borough's coffers at year's end, "which is weighing very heavily on me right now," Lopez said "we'll take money anywhere we can get it."
Pottstown Mercury - 08/02/08 - http://www.pottstownmercury.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19884408&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
Lopez said he has no immediate plans for the money.But given that Finance Director Robert Armelin recently predicted a $200,000 shortfall in the borough's coffers at year's end, "which is weighing very heavily on me right now," Lopez said "we'll take money anywhere we can get it."
Pottstown Mercury - 08/02/08 - http://www.pottstownmercury.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19884408&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6
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