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PITTSTON — City council members approved the first reading of the 2017 budget at their monthly meeting Wednesday.

The budget currently stands at $6,339,229 with no tax increase and a millage of 6.85. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

The motion was passed 3-1, with Councilman Danny Argo voting no and Councilman Joe McLean absent.

Argo voted against the motion due to a 3 percent salary increase for some city employees.

“These figures are not germane with the demographics of a city like Pittston,” he said. “It’s way out of order. I want to know where this stops because people are leaving this town as we speak. Our population has been dropping. …

“And I want to know when this stops.”

The budget will be available for public inspection for the next 30 days and will be voted on at the next public meeting in December.

The council also approved a payment of $402,634.06 for the streetscapre project, with $1,845 going to Reilly Associates for engineering services and $400,798.06 going to Multiscape Inc. for construction services.

In other business, the council:

• Approved an engineering services contract in the amount of $32,000 with Reilly Associates for the Greater Pittston Amphitheater Project. The amphitheater will be constructed on the grounds of the Pittston Memorial Library.

• Approved a revised change order for the HVAC City Hall upgrade in the amount of $15,444.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Pittston-City.jpg.optimal.jpg
No mill or tax increase for 2017

By Jimmy Fisher

[email protected]

WHAT’S NEXT

Pittston City Council will hold its next public meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at city hall, 35 Broad St.

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher