Weatherly Borough Council has approved a budget with no tax increase for 2021.

Sewer, water and electric fees will remain the same.

The $5,354,846 budget funds includes some projects for 2021, including replacing old switches within the electrical system, upgrading equipment at the sewer plant, and painting the water tank.

The borough will also buy a new pickup truck for the street department, and complete the purchase of the new bucket truck for the electric department.

New expenses will be the costs of maintaining the magistrate’s space, the old borough building, and soon, the old Weatherly ambulance association building.

Once the dissolution of the former ambulance association is complete through the PA Department of Revenue, the association’s building will become the responsibility of the borough.

Citizens Fire Company officials discussed their plan to buy a new rescue pumper, and retire two older vehicles - a 1989 pumper and a 1994 rescue. Council was told that the maintenance on these older trucks is beginning to “nickel and dime” the company.

The new rescue pumper will be a 2019 demo-model built by KME, for $718,926. At 10% less than this year’s price, it will replace both of the older vehicles.

Citizens would be obtaining grants and loans for this new truck, but will need the borough’s and Packer Township’s help to pay for it. Discussions with Packer Township about annual support and payments toward this new truck are ongoing.

Another fire company was interested in buying the old rescue truck for use for its dive and water rescue team. That would help pay a good part of the first year of borrowing.

Borough manager Harold Pudliner pointed out the borough is still helping with payments toward two other trucks in the fleet, at a cost of $32,865 each year. One loan is complete this year, and other ends in 2022.

The new truck, which would get delivered in May, would make that payment into $45,000 for 2021, with about $13,000 not budgeted. Payments on the new truck would mean a commitment for 20 years.

Council voted to come up with the money. Councilman Joe Cyburt voted no, partly because he wanted more information about what Packer Township would do, and partly because it is “a lot of money to be tied up for 20 years.”

Council approved changes in the traffic ordinance, banning parking on West Main Street. The borough will give warnings to people parking on the street now, then begin ticketing April 1.