In a period of only about five months, property assessments have declined by more than $350,000 in Lansford.

A report given at Wednesday’s meeting of Lansford Borough Council said property assessments as of March 7 for the borough total $32,224,145.

Borough Secretary-Treasurer Jill Seigendall said an assessment report dated Oct. 3, 2018, listed the borough’s collective assessment at $32,580,320. This is a loss of $356,175.

Lower assessments mean less revenue is collectible in real estate taxes.

In other business

• Joe Butrie resigned as a borough council member effective immediately, citing health issues.

He was elected to a four-year term in 2015.

The council accepted the resignation and thanked him for his service to the community.

Council President Jared Soto said applications for his seat will be accepted until the council’s next meeting, which will be held on April 11.

• Butrie was chairman of the council’s Park & Recreation Committee.

The report of the committee quotes Butrie as stating the municipal swimming pool is a “dead horse.” He said at the committee meeting that it would be difficult for the borough to rehabilitate the pool.

The municipal swimming pool was closed three years ago because of leaks and other problems. A committee called Friends of the Pool has been organized in an attempt to reopen the facility.

It was reported that the Friends of the Pool have over $47,000 in the pool account. It was reported that the committee is seeking a grant for the pool.

• The council approved naming four people as “deputy tax collectors” to serve during any incapacitation of the borough’s tax collector, Terrance McCall.

Approved unanimously as deputies were Colleen McCall, Michael McCall and Patrick McCall.

Approved by a 4-1 vote was Kristie Zimmerman. Council member Marie Ondrus cast the negative vote. Council member Bob Silver was absent.

• The council tabled a request by the American Legion for reserved parking in front of the post. Soto will contact the Legion to determine how many spaces are being requested.

• The Legion will host an Easter egg hunt in Ashton Park on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• The council hired Joe Lyon to upgrade the computer system of the borough’s police department.

Lyon is a network specialist for Walmart and is a former police officer in the borough. He resides in Lansford.

Soto said the cost will be $1,368. He said Lyon informed him he will provide the materials at cost and not charge for his labor. Soto estimates that Lyon will be saving the borough as much as $3,000 through his efforts.

Mayor James Romankow said last week the computer system went down while security cameras were being fixed. He said Lyon was summoned and worked from 12:30 to 5 p.m. before he got them to work.

The mayor said, “He did it at no charge.”

In addition, Mayor Romankow said Lyon eliminated a lot of existing computer problems in the process. Also, the computers now work faster.

The council will look into possibly having Lyon upgrade other computers in the borough.