PORT CARBON - The borough council Tuesday unanimously approved a 2014 spending plan which held the line on taxes.
The 2014 budget is $994,188.23. The millage will remain at 12.149, or $12.14 for each $1,000 of assessed property, Sandra L. Palokas, borough secretary/treasurer, said at the council's regular meeting.
In other matters, the council rehired Guers Topsoil and Mulch Products Inc., New Philadelphia, as its snow removal contractor for 2014.
The borough council has hired Guers Topsoil since 1993, Guers president, William L. Guers, Port Carbon, said in a telephone interview Tuesday night.
Guers was the only bidder on snow removal this year, according to Palokas.
Guers said his prices will go up "about five bucks" in 2014 because of inflation and equipment upgrades.
For example, use of a tri-axle with 30 cubic-yard capacity cost $85 per hour or ton in 2013, Guers said. In 2014, it will cost $90 per hour or ton.
At the end of the meeting Tuesday, the board offered words of praise to Mayor Thomas J. Pavlick, 57, whose term in office ends this month.
Pavlick was appointed to council Aug. 13, 1996, to fill the unexpired term of Councilman John Pontician.
In November 2009, Pavlick, a Democrat, ran for mayor and ousted incumbent Republican Charles "Chuck" Joy.
Pavlick did not run for reelection this year. Joy, who ran unopposed on both the Republican and Democratic ballots in November, will become mayor in January.
On Tuesday, Pavlick said one day he may return to run for public office, but has no immediate plans.
"Well, my friend, I want to thank you from council and from the citizens. It's very emotional because you are my friend, and it's very hard for me to say goodbye to you. You have done many, many things above what you should do," council President Harold "Bucky" Herndon said at the end of the meeting.
"We all recognize that Tom has been a 'go to' guy long before that fateful date in August 1996. We all realize, or should, that Tom is a man of many talents - whether it be convincing people that 'we could do that,' cutting down trees and relocating them to a prominent spot on a particular corner, repairing buildings, vehicles and even swings and jumping in the creek, literally, chainsaw in hand. He is a master at locating stuff and relocating stuff. My personal favorite words have become 'whatever you need, my dear,' " Palokas said.
The council will hold its reorganization meeting and its first work session of 2014 at 7 p.m. Jan. 6, according to Palokas.