Click here to subscribe today or Login.
PITTSTON — Jason Klush has spent seven years serving as the city mayor, and he announced that his eighth year will be his last year in the elected post.
Klush is heading into the final year of his second term, which is set to conclude at the end of 2017, and said at the public council meeting on Wednesday he will not to run for a third term. He wants to spend more time with his family, he said.
“I’ve got a little one that’s not even 2 years old yet, and my older one is 8,” Klush said. “It’s time. I want to spend time with them. I put a lot of time here.”
During his announcement at this week’s city council meeting, Klush thanked everyone on council and said that he will work equally as hard to keep the city going in the right direction during his last year, particularly in regard to fixing blighted areas.
“We’re doing pretty good with parks, and we’ve got some money left to spruce up some more of the neighborhood,” he said. “That’s what I want to continue with.”
Klush also noted that, after his term ends, he will continue to stay involved in some capacity with the city.
Also during the meeting, council members approved the 2017 budget, which stands at $6,339,229. It maintains a millage rate of 6.85; a mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.
The budget calls for no tax increase.
The motion was passed 3-1, with Councilman Danny Argo voting no. Councilman Joe McLean absent. Argo reiterated what he said at budget reading during the November meeting, saying he was not in favor of city employees receiving 3 percent pay raise.
In other business, council members approved:
• A resolution that 2017 public meetings be held at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month.
• A resolution authorizing the submitting of an application for a $1.6 million Local Share Account Grant for Main Street and downtown revitalization projects.
• A resolution to execute a “Certificate of Final Completion” for Phase II of the City Hall renovation dealing with the building’s lighting and HVAC.
• The temporary closing of Spring Street and restricting parking on North and South Main streets for the 2017 St. Patrick’s Parade.
• An ordinance prohibiting parking on portions of Butler Street.