Numbers are being worked out as Palmerton formulates next year’s budget.

Borough Manager Autumn Canfield reviewed the 2024 budget with borough council on Thursday.

Canfield told council the budget has been in the works for several months.

She added it “starts with a wish-list, but not everything makes it.”

“We start piecing that puzzle together with our finance committee,” Canfield said.

Canfield said she’s already met with the finance committee on two separate occasions.

She suggested it may be a good idea to form a dedicated fire fund next year.

After the meeting, Canfield noted that the borough provides funds within the general fund for fire company expenses, and added that a fire fund would separate this money and give it a dedicated purpose.

“Under borough code there are several taxes we are allowed to levy and a tax to support fire companies is one of those,” she said. “We are pursuing this route after discussion with the chief and finance committees.”

Other potential projects Canfield mentioned include larger maintenance items for several of the borough’s buildings. The maintenance is for various facilities.

In addition, Canfield said Alley H and Alley J are in need of repairs, and Mary Ann Alley as well. Alley H and J were started this year with grant funding, and will continue/finish next year.

“We hope to repair Mary Ann Alley next year through funds from the same CDBG program,” she said. “Potholes and draining are a concern throughout the borough and we are always working to remedy them.”

Councilman Andrew Hollywood said he would really like to see Railroad Alley be a priority.

Canfield also noted that the borough has an ARLE (Automated Red Light Enforcement) grant for the traffic signal for which the borough hopes to see construction next year.

“We are awaiting approval of our bid package from PennDOT before we can move forward,” she said.

Improvements are slated to the light pole at the intersection of Third Street and Delaware Avenue.

In December 2021, the borough received nearly $330,000 in state funds for traffic study improvements through PennDOT, which distributed about $12.9 million in Automated Red Light Enforcement funding to 22 municipalities statewide to fund 28 safety projects.

Palmerton received $329,398 for replacement of all existing signal equipment at the offset intersection of Third Street and Delaware Avenue to bring the intersection up to current PennDOT safety standards.

She said they will also continue maintenance and doing training.

Canfield said the borough will also continue to seek grants “to offset whatever costs we can.”

In December, council on a 6-0 vote adopted this year’s budget with no tax increase.

That left the millage rate at 13.77 mills.