The spirit of volunteerism was praised at the Bath Borough Council meeting Nov. 7.

The Ciff Cowling pavilion floor, 60 years old, needed replacement. The project was estimated to cost the borough in excess of $35,000.

Volunteers were recruited for the job, along with assistance from A.J. Trunzo Inc. and Krause Enterprises Inc. 4 Winds Concrete Inc. donated 22 yards of concrete.

“We did [the floor replacement] for nothing,” borough Manager Brad Flynn said. “It was a tremendous community effort.”

Regarding sanitation and recycling, it was announced the residential sanitation and recycling rates for 2017 will be lowered from $401.53 per household to $297.16 - a remarkable achievement, council members agreed. JP Mascaro & Sons will be the hauler.

Last month, JP Mascaro & Sons won the bid over Waste Management by a razor-thin 18 cents per household.

In an email after the meeting, Flynn told The Press, “Folks should be quite happy about the garbage tax reduction.”

In other news, a resolution was passed that keeps the property tax millage, 15 mills, the same for 2017, thereby holding the line on taxes.

Another large agenda item, the borough is finalizing the purchase of the Thirst Quenchers building, located at 121-125 Walnut St. This is a move to consolidate borough operations to one location.

Some building renovations will be needed before a move. It is anticipated the project will be completed in six to 10 months.

This change will involve moving the government out of its current location. At a recent meeting, council President Mark Saginario stated the costs to stay in the current building are prohibitively high.

Council ended the meeting with an executive session to discuss employment and solicitor consultancy.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the borough hall.