Heidelberg Signs Off on Budget Plan

passed its 2011 municipal spending plan Tuesday night with no tax increase.

Council approved the $1.395 million operating budget by a 3-1 vote during its regular meeting and will keep property taxes at 8.5 mills. Councilman Robert DeBar voted against the budget and Patrick Ferris did not attend the meeting.

The borough also expects to spend another $1.435 million on capital improvements, much of which will be spent on the Route 50 streetscape project.

The highest expenditure in the budget is for police protection, which will cost the borough $239,326 next year. The department also plans to purchase a new police cruiser using $33,000 out of the borough's capital improvements budget.

Heidelberg will spend about $152,000 on the public works department, which includes $65,000 for garbage pickup and $10,000 for salt. The borough also has plans to build a new $125,000 garage for public works equipment because the current facility is dilapidated.

One of the largest expenses from the capital reserve account will be $960,000 for the Route 50 streetscape project. Most of the money is through grants and will be part of the overall $2.4 million reconstruction project of the main drag from Carnegie to Scott Township.

A new restroom facility at Heidelberg Park will cost $93,000, although the borough received a $46,500 matching grant from the state in October. Construction on the restroom will begin in the spring.

The entire 2011 budget can be viewed at the municipal building or on Heidelberg's website at the bottom of the Borough Information page.

Also during the meeting...

-The owners of Woltz & Wind Ford in Raceway Plaza asked if they would be allowed to store cars at 1905 Washington St. for at least six months next year due to a surplus of vehicles and planned renovations of the showroom. The council agreed to the temporary use of the lot with several restrictions.

-The borough's trash collection day will change from Wednesday to Thursday beginning in February. Council approved the change after Waste Management said it was reorganizing some of the collection days in the area. All borough residents will receive a postcard notifying when the change will occur.

-Borough police Chief Vernon Barkley said the department received a $2,000 grant from the Allegheny County district attorney's office to purchase narrowband radios. The money is from seizures by the police department during crimes in the borough.

-Mayor Kenneth LaSota announced he was elected vice president of the South Hill Area Council of Government for next year.

-Borough Manager Joe Kauer said residents donated two boxes full of toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. The donation boxes were placed just inside the entrance doors of the municipal building.