Mayor Gerald Yob, having only just been sworn in for another term, was not happy.

Freemansburg's reorganizational meeting was a quick, lighthearted affair abruptly stalled by an executive session. When Yob angrily walked out 20 minutes later, he complained a reorganizational meeting is not the time to conduct borough business.

But business it was, as council emerged and immediately voted 6-1 to amend the 2014 budget with a two-mill increase. George Wilson was the sole dissenter.

This is the first real estate tax increase in the borough in more than four years, and will total approximately $7 per month for resident property owners.

Borough Manager Judith Danko explained in an email the decision to raise taxes had been discussed months ago, and although they are unhappy with the decision, they felt it was inevitable. "The Borough has written grants to subsidize the borough budget for the last several years. The borough has been extremely fortunate to be able to do that, although at one point you just can't pay for everything with a grant," she said.

Danko and Council member Rudy Gallich said a $500,000 loan for a matching grant to repair the roof, plumbing and electrical systems of borough hall, the expiring of a grant to pay a police officer and an estimated $20,000 to repair a broken streets department pay loader necessitate the tax increase.

Danko said, "The borough relies on grants constantly for anything that is needed other than the funds in the budget. If something would break down or a need for funds would take place, the council has never had any monies in the budget to fund these issues.

After thorough review from the finance committee and the entire council they felt this was the best decision at this time."

The only change to council this term was the swearing in of Mark Lorrah, brother of President Homer "Bud" Lorrah, who replaced Donald Lasso.

The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at Borough Hall, 600 Monroe St.