Lansford borough residents will pay the same in borough taxes as they did in 2022.

During Lansford’s council meeting this week, the borough passed the 2023 budget with no tax increase. This is the second year the borough has held the line on taxes.

The $1,865,617.76 budget includes $728,075.15 for police; $381,999.97 for public works; $43,950 for code enforcement; $45,675 for the fire company; $36,450 for parks and recreation; $276,656.31 for general government expenses; and $88,205 for street lighting.

Sewer transmission fee

Council also voted unanimously to lower the sewer transmission fee from the current rate of $90 per year to $60 per year, effective for 2023. This attributed to the borough paying off a 30-year, $3 million loan obtained 22 years ago to pay for sanitary and stormwater separation projects, seven years early.

Other business

• Council reviewed the list of projects to be undertaken by the borough for 2023. They include: replacing a manhole along Walnut Street that collected runoff from the Summit Hill highway; installing storm drains along Pool Road; demolishing 336 W. Bertsch and 314 W. Patterson; replacing Brimbles wall; installing handicap ramps in Ashton Hill Park; constructing a borough garage; repaving the West End and East End basketball courts; and renovating the police department kitchen and borough hall. Various grant sources are being used for the projects.

• Hired George Gilbert of 841 E. Ridge St., Lansford as a full-time employee in the Public Work Department, effective Jan 1.

• Adopted the 2021 version of the Property Maintenance code.

• The borough solicitor provided council with a copy of a light duty work policy, council will review the policy for future adoption.

• Authorized a letter of support on behalf of the Lansford/Coaldale Water authority for a grant to undertake a water line replacement project in the 300 block of West Abbott Street.