Borough taxes will increase next year

MILFORD - Rising prices of garbage collection, fuels, and insurance were blamed for the four mill increase announced at the December 5 Milford Borough Council meeting. As the rate increases from 30 to 34 mills, among Milford’s 552 parcels, the tax increase averages just under $84. Council President Matthew Osterberg the borough’s spending would increase from $805,333 to 906,535 in 2006, an increase of 12.5 percent. Another cost increase for borough residents also was revealed Monday as Ron Gregory and Tom Hoff of the borough water authority announced a 10 percent service increase, from $1 to $1.10 daily. The council also approved a new $90,000 waste collection contract with Charles Steuhl, providing for two cans of waste per pickup. Osterberg said the borough had considered the alternative costs in creating a municipal waste operation, but the cost of tipping and two new employees would outweigh the private contract, even before purchase of a compactor truck, Osterberg said. In unrelated action, the borough tabled a resolution from Pike County Planning, which sought Milford’s support for the new Sawkill/Vandermark Creek Watershed Conservation Plan. Solicitor John Klemeyer noted that the resolution assumed the council’s familiarity with the plans provisions, but no one in borough government has read the plan. The council also accepted Carol Ann Sklar’s resignation from the planning commission.