Coaldale Borough Council was informed that its insurance rate for the next year increased by about $10,000, and is due payable by the end of this month.

The council agreed to pay the premium, totaling $42,670, but will consult with the underwriter to determine if it can be reduced.Borough treasurer Anissa Nunemacher said the policy covers all phases of insurance, including liability, vehicle insurance and property insurance.She said she was informed the insurance carrier, Pirma (Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency), increased the rate because of losses incurred.Nunemacher said the payment must occur in a lump sum.In other financial matters, the council, in response to questions from residents, said that in the past some of the money allocated to a sewage maintenance account had been used for other purposes. Council members agreed that in past years, funds were "borrowed" but never repaid from other accounts, too.Nunemacher assured this is no longer the practice in the municipality.Angela Krapf, a member of the council, said a review of books from previous years indicates such transactions.Council President Thomas Keerans said several years ago the borough had financial problems and had to take money from other accounts to prevent layoffs."We all agree it's not going to be like that anymore," Krapf said.The council scheduled meetings to begin work on the 2016 budget. These meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 1, Sept. 15, Oct. 20 and Nov. 17.Keerans told his peers, "Bring coffee because we'll be here until 10, 11 o'clock at night."In other matter regarding finances:• The borough agreed to purchase a 2016 Ford F550 model truck from KME Inc. of Nesquehoning at a cost of $77,511.30. The truck will require a down payment of $20,000, which the borough has in its Liquid Fuels account. The balance will be repaid over four years.• Nunemacher said six property owners were billed a combined total of $2,025 for work that borough employees did on the respective properties. The money must be paid within 30 days or liens will be placed on the properties.• The borough is going to get tough with people who have handicapped parking signs but haven't been paying their annual $25 fee. Solicitor Robert Yurchak was instructed to review the borough ordinance regarding handicapped parking permits and determine if the borough can develop a system mandating that the person having the sign have sole use of that parking space.In addition, the borough will begin making people apply annually for handicap parking privileges.Krapf said a check of borough records indicates there is one person with a handicap sign that hasn't paid the annual fee since 2002.She said she feels annual applications are necessary so the borough can determine if people who have signs in front of their residences have moved or had their statuses changed.In other business• The council was informed that police officer Joseph Krebs worked his last shift for the borough on Aug. 7. He accepted a position in another municipality. The council will send him a letter thanking him for his work in the borough.• Councilman Michael Doerr said new bulletproof vests have arrived for the police department. The council also agreed to purchase uniform patches, Taser ammunition, a battery for a Taser gun and tires for the police cruiser. A new police cruiser is expect to be delivered to the borough this week.• The council agreed unanimously to abolish angle parking on the west end of High Street.• Bids will be advertised for repairing Ruddle Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.• Council member Angela Krapf said 66 children attended a recent movie in the park event.