At the Dec. 28 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, council members passed Resolution 31-2020, the borough’s 2021 budget.

The budget includes a 0.75-mill tax hike. The budget’s total receipts are $6,588,975.

The budget passed 5-1, with Councilman Paul Cmil voting no. A copy of the budget can be viewed online by visiting catasauqua.org.

A property assessed at $150,000 will have a $111 tax increase in 2021. Sewer and water rates also saw increases by about 10 percent.

By ordinance, the budgeted 7.35-mill tax rate will be adopted at the Jan. 4, 2021, meeting.

The following resolutions are also scheduled for a council vote: Resolution 1-2021, schedule of fees for 2021; Resolution 2-2021, senior citizen and early-payment refuse discount; and Resolution 3-2021, delinquent real estate tax collector appointment.

Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker noted there are three properties going up for sheriff sale. Dinkelacker said a full report on delinquent taxes will be provided at the Jan. 4, 2021, meeting.

Borough Manager Steven Travers noted cash flow is an issue in the borough with revenue down about 20 percent. This situation will require a tax anticipation loan. The particulars of the loan are being developed by Travers and the solicitor. It may be presented to council next week for approval.

Penn Vest, with funding through a loan for the emergency generator at the water plant, is proceeding. The 20-year loan will have a 1-percent rate that will grow to 1.73 percent. Travers noted the interest rate is excellent. The loan is expected to close in March.

Travers explained the grant anticipation loan ordinance for the Iron Works project is needed. So far, the borough has received $3.5 million of grant funding for the project to date. The loan will facilitate funding.

It was noted the Willow Street parking lot project is 95-percent completed.

Also, Travers reported the street department leaf pickup project was completed. Councilman Brian McKittrick relayed there are two locations where leaves still need to be picked up. Travers said he will check on the locations.

COVID-19 numbers are increasing in the borough at large, but it was reported the infection rate among borough staff is decreasing, which may permit a reopening of the municipal complex.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel noted the police did an excellent job during the snowstorm, as did the street department.

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick updated council on the Lehigh and Race streets project, which is progressing as planned. She noted she is also looking at grant opportunities for refurbishing the police department.

McKittrick, public safety committee chair, noted there are requests for accessible parking spots, which the police chief is evaluating.

Fire Chief Richard Hertzog Jr. publicly applauded his firefighters for the volunteer time they spent at the fire house and responding to calls throughout the snowstorm. The average response time for numerous calls during the storm was 45 seconds, he said.

Councilmember Debra Mellish, planning and zoning committee chair, reported the 5G issue continues to be considered to ensure the borough is prepared for the introduction of a 5G network.

Councilman Brian Bartholomew, public works committee chair, thanked the public works department for doing a great job clearing the streets in the recent snowstorm.

The next Catasauqua Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. Jan. 4, 2021. It is council’s reorganization meeting.

It is a virtual meeting. Visit catasauqua.org for the call and access numbers.