RINGTOWN - The borough's municipal authority is now debt free, which also puts the borough itself in a better financial position.
The information was reported during the Ringtown Borough Council's March 10 meeting, which was a short 17-minute session.
"The municipal (sewer) authority paid off its only outstanding loan, which leaves them debt free for the first time in a long time and in the black," council President Julian Milewski said. "Why is that important? Because the borough backs with tax revenue the loans that the municipal authority makes."
When a municipal authority goes into debt with a loan, the municipality guarantees the debt in the event the authority defaults. Milewski said when the authority has no debts, it also looks good for the borough.
"It reports good for the financial status of the borough," Milewski, a Republican-Herald employee, said.
On Apr. 27, 2012, the authority combined three outstanding loans in order to receive a better interest rate. The final payment was made March 7, retiring the debt.
In other business, the council approved a request from the Ringtown Area Girls' Softball League to use the baseball field near the former Ringtown school building. The organization had requested the field at a previous meeting, but was first required to provide a copy of its bylaws before approval could be given.
Borough foreman Scott Schuetrum said the bed floors on the dump trucks need to be repaired mainly due to corrosion caused by road salt. The repairs will be made by welding steel onto the beds.
Councilman James Compton Sr. received a complaint about stone being plowed off the road at the end of East Main Street. When weather permits, the road crew will make any repairs.
In another street matter, Milewski said he had spoken to state Sen. David Argall, R-29, and state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, about problems with snow plowing by the state Department of Transportation this winter. Milewski was told to inform them of any problems in the future.