2017 Denver budget debuted

Small tax increase likely for property owners

Denver Borough Council members revealed the 2017 budget including a small tax increase and heard concerns about pedestrian safety at their Monday, Nov. 14, meeting.

Members approved advertising the proposed 2017 budget. Adopting the budget is scheduled for council’s Dec. 12 meeting.

The proposed real estate increase is from 3.0 to 3.15 mills. A resident with an average appraised home value of $135,000 will see an increase of $19.84 per year.

Proposed water rate increases are from $5.25 to $6 per 1,000 gallons, which translates to an annual $28.48 increase for the average residential rate payer.

Proposed sewer rate increases are from $10.50 to $10.75 per 1,000 gallons. The average residential rate payer would owe $9.50 more.

Total for real estate, water, and sewer increases proposed for 2017 for a resident equals $57.82, or 16 cents per day.

Denver’s proposed total budget is $3.6 million. This includes the general fund as well as funds for water, sewer, community, and economic development, general capital, water capital, sewer capital, and liquid fuels.

The budget may be inspected at the borough hall, 501 Main St., during regular business hours. It will also be listed under news and announcements on the borough’s Web site, www.denverborough.net.

In other business, The Rev. Joe Veres, pastor at Faith United Lutheran Church, 357 Walnut St., spoke to council regarding a concern about better pedestrian safety for people crossing Walnut Street to the parking lot across the street from the church.

The issue becomes complicated when the church holds its food ministry distribution, Peter’s Porch, the first Saturday of each month from 8 to 10 a.m.

A parent, often accompanied by young children, will exit the lower level ramp at the west end of the building pushing a shopping cart filled with food. Because the parking lot is not directly across the street from the exit to the lower level, people end up traversing the street on a diagonal route to reach their car.

“This is the fifth year of our Peter’s Porch program, and we’ve never had a problem,” said Veres. “At least no one notified me of one previously. One of our people reported that while taking food across the street, a motorist didn’t slow down at all and the person was nearly clipped.

“We serve between 300 and 400 people each time we have Peter’s Porch. All parking lots, both those on the same side of the street as the church, and the one across the street, can be full.”

Council members discussed issues impacting placement of a crosswalk, including the proximity to the crest of a nearby hill, lack of sidewalk curb cuts, and ways the church might better call motorists’ attention to people crossing, especially on the busy food ministry days. The matter will be discussed further.

Council also:

* Approved advertising a zoning ordinance amendment stating that crushed or loose stone is not acceptable for use in the front yard for a driveway or parking area.

* Approved Reamstown Excavating’s Final Minor Land Development Plan on North Fifth Street for a storage building, subject to meeting conditions of approval and submission of financial security.

* Answered three questions asked by resident Mike Cohick.

Regarding police overage:

Blake Daub, council president, said: “We didn’t seek other police protection quotes because we received favorable pricing from East Cocalico.”

Regarding street lights:

Councilman Todd Stewart said: “We sent PPL a letter to clarify three items. We’re pretty much lined up to start work for owning our own streetlights in the spring. The borough, thanks to PennDOT’s understanding, still has its grant for $224,000 toward the project.”

Regarding a school resource officer:

Several council members commented on Cocalico School Board’s school resource officer (SRO) presentation. At the end, council members said their position hasn’t changed: They don’t wish to pursue an SRO.

* Heard Mayor Rodney Redcay deliver a report on what he termed a productive Oct. 13 meeting at East Cocalico regarding police issues. The meeting included East Cocalico Police Chief Terry Arment and East Cocalico Supervisors Doug Mackley and Alan Fry.