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PLYMOUTH — It is likely that borough residents are in for a tax increase, but not one large enough to save the bulk of the borough’s paid fire department.
Borough council, when polled by council President Gary Kochinski, unanimously gave preliminary approval to a budget that included a 7.4 percent property tax increase, the closure of Goodwill Hose Company No. 2 and the retention of only one firetruck driver as a paid employee of the department. That driver will work day shift Monday through Friday, with volunteers staffing other shifts.
The tax increase will raise the rate from 5.70 mills to 6.12 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Council will vote on a final budget on Dec. 31 and, according to Kochinski, it may contain some final changes.
Kochinski said the budget would mean a 25 percent increase in funding to the police department, allowing for the hiring of more officers and increasing public safety.
Rob Palchanis, assistant borough fire chief, said it felt as if council was trading fire personnel for police personnel.
“Both are necessary,” he said. “I don’t know if this is really legal.”
Councilman Frank Coughlin said, in his tenure as a council member, he had never voted for a real estate tax increase. He believed this one was necessary to ensure adequate police protection.
In response to attendees who questioned the wisdom of operating with only one paid firetruck driver, Coughlin referenced statistics he had collected indicating that other municipalities successfully operated with an all-volunteer fire department.
“The facts are the facts,” he said, holding up the documentation.
Increased police protection, Coughlin said, was necessary.
“We can do nothing,” he said. “But I see drug activity all over.”
Resident Joe Gesek asked council if officers are currently being used efficiently.
“Do you know where our police are?” he asked. “There are officers that park their cruisers in front of their houses or visit other people.”
Several members of council questioned whether Gesek had proof of the inappropriate police activity.
If Gesek had proof, Coughlin said he would like to see it.
“When it comes to police protection, we want to get our bang for our buck,” Coughlin said. “We would hold their feet to the fire.”
He said passage of the budget with its reduction to the fire department is painful but necessary.
“If we don’t do this now, we’re kicking the can down the road,” he said.
