The Walnutport Borough adopted its budget during the last meeting of the year. Thursday night council agreed to the quarter millage increase for borough residents.

"It averages out to be about an extra two or three dollars," borough secretary/treasurer Annette Lacko said.Other changes taxpayers can expect in the borough are the addition of a new full-time police officer in early summer. An estimated $38,000 was budgeted for the fourth officer."It's probably on the high side because you don't know the rate until we get someone in there," borough President Matthew Newhard said.Walnutport Mayor Wayne Weidner thanked the board for adding the fourth officer."We did it for the residents," councilman Michael Gaston said.According to Newhard, the borough will see a surplus in its liquid fuels fund."Thank you everyone for going to the gas pumps," he said.The leftover $9,000 will be used for road work throughout the year.The borough was officially approved for a grant to help cover costs of the dugout project.The ball had already started rolling with fingers crossed the grant would be approved in time for the renovations to begin before the year's end.A proposal was recently submitted to the borough by CRAJ LLC, which purchased the old silk mill property located on Washington Street. The company plans to remodel the space into apartments.A zoning hearing had been held when a variance to a parking ordinance was requested. The ordinance in question required two spaces for every rental.The zoning board had granted a variance for fewer spaces than were required.The borough council appealed the decision. According to borough solicitor Michael Corriere, the new proposal involves the purchase of more property for the additional required parking spaces."It's beneficial to everyone," Newhard said.