Council Passes 2009 Budget
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford City Council passed its 2009 budget Tuesday night, which does include a tax increase – but not as big as council members thought it would be.
Mayor Tom Riel says a lot of the credit for that goes to City Clerk John Peterson.
He said Peterson cut roughly $750,000 from the budget when the city was looking at a $1.2 million deficit.
"That's tremendous," Riel said. "I'm proud of the rest of city council … Everyone's worked hard."
Riel said he's sorry they had to pass the tax increase on to the public but they had no other choice.
Also Tuesday night, passed the new "residential rental unit ordinance," which is aimed at cracking down on landlords who don't take care of their property.
City Solicitor Mark Hollenbeck explained that, following a work session with area landlords, some language in the ordinance was changed from its first reading.
Hollenbeck said the ordinance makes it clear that a violation "has to be a willful act," not an unintentional mistake.
Another change is that a landlord – or an agent of the landlord – does not necessarily have to live in Bradford. For example, if someone lives in Limestone, New York, but regularly comes to Bradford, that would be acceptable.
Also, there is a change in inspection fees. If a landlord has the same tenant for two years, and the property has passed inspection for two years, there will be no fee after that as long as the same tenant lives in the property.
In other matters, Steve Cavallaro of Cavallaro's Custom Picture Framing, representing other Kennedy Street business owners, said they would like the city to consider using parking meters with only a 30-minute time limit, instead of two hours, so they would have a greater turnover.
He mentioned that they already lost parking on one side of the street because of the Streetscape project. Cavallaro also noted that if the two-hour meters are installed people will park on Kennedy Street then leave for two hours, taking up a space that a potential customer would use.
Riel said council will discuss the matter, and noted that they would have to change the parking ordinance to install meters with a shorter time limit.
In other matters, Peterson wanted residents to be aware that instead of receiving coupon books for refuse payment, they will be receiving a sheet of perforated coupons.
He said this is a cost savings to the city.
Also Tuesday night, council recognized Bradford Eagle Scout Tyler Thomas for his restoration work at the 5th Ward Park.
Riel said his efforts made a visible difference and were also a cost savings to the city.
At the end of the meeting, Riel thanked everyone for bearing with council as they "get through this financial trouble. … We hope that everyone has a happy holiday season – and the politically incorrect Merry Christmas as well."
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford City Council passed its 2009 budget Tuesday night, which does include a tax increase – but not as big as council members thought it would be.
Mayor Tom Riel says a lot of the credit for that goes to City Clerk John Peterson.
He said Peterson cut roughly $750,000 from the budget when the city was looking at a $1.2 million deficit.
"That's tremendous," Riel said. "I'm proud of the rest of city council … Everyone's worked hard."
Riel said he's sorry they had to pass the tax increase on to the public but they had no other choice.
Also Tuesday night, passed the new "residential rental unit ordinance," which is aimed at cracking down on landlords who don't take care of their property.
City Solicitor Mark Hollenbeck explained that, following a work session with area landlords, some language in the ordinance was changed from its first reading.
Hollenbeck said the ordinance makes it clear that a violation "has to be a willful act," not an unintentional mistake.
Another change is that a landlord – or an agent of the landlord – does not necessarily have to live in Bradford. For example, if someone lives in Limestone, New York, but regularly comes to Bradford, that would be acceptable.
Also, there is a change in inspection fees. If a landlord has the same tenant for two years, and the property has passed inspection for two years, there will be no fee after that as long as the same tenant lives in the property.
In other matters, Steve Cavallaro of Cavallaro's Custom Picture Framing, representing other Kennedy Street business owners, said they would like the city to consider using parking meters with only a 30-minute time limit, instead of two hours, so they would have a greater turnover.
He mentioned that they already lost parking on one side of the street because of the Streetscape project. Cavallaro also noted that if the two-hour meters are installed people will park on Kennedy Street then leave for two hours, taking up a space that a potential customer would use.
Riel said council will discuss the matter, and noted that they would have to change the parking ordinance to install meters with a shorter time limit.
In other matters, Peterson wanted residents to be aware that instead of receiving coupon books for refuse payment, they will be receiving a sheet of perforated coupons.
He said this is a cost savings to the city.
Also Tuesday night, council recognized Bradford Eagle Scout Tyler Thomas for his restoration work at the 5th Ward Park.
Riel said his efforts made a visible difference and were also a cost savings to the city.
At the end of the meeting, Riel thanked everyone for bearing with council as they "get through this financial trouble. … We hope that everyone has a happy holiday season – and the politically incorrect Merry Christmas as well."
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