From the adoption of its finalized 2014 budget to the departure of a longtime civil servant, Walnutport's Borough Council made several big announcements at its regularly scheduled Thursday night meeting.

When President Matthew Newhard opened the floor for public comment about the 2014 budget, soon-to-be-installed 2014 council member, Patrice Hunsicker, asked why the budget allotted $10,000 for each of three borough buildings since one was fairly new.Newhard said the buildings included the borough hall, the borough shop/garage and the pavilion at 215 S. Lincoln Ave., the "new building".He then said that, "(The money) always used to be only in 'borough building maintenance' … there'd be $30,000 in it in case anything happened. But the auditor had asked that we needed, to make it easier for the (paper) trail … that we had to split it down … they had to have their own separate budget item."When Hunsicker again asked why $10,000 had been allotted to a building that was only 2 years old, Newhard said the money needed to go to any type of regular maintenance, such as grass seeding and cleaning, plus any unforeseen maintenance. He added that the money could also go toward any damage on the grounds and may not all get used.Once Vice President Michael Gaston arrived, council then unanimously approved the 2014 final budget with a 1-mill tax increase, also unanimously approving the tax millage be set at 18.Gaston had noted just prior to the approvals that the main reason for the 1-mill increase was to help cover the cost of the borough hall roof improvements."That was our biggest hit," he said.In other news, council again discussed the possibility of getting 96-gallon totes that could handle all types of recyclables.In addition, members said they needed to advertise for an open, appointed two-year seat on council.Afterward, engineer Jason Newhard said Nimaris Construction, L.P. was ahead of schedule on Lock 23, which he called "substantially completed," but needed an extension until April 30 for finishing touches that couldn't be done until spring, such as seed germination.After a short executive session, the council reconvened to say it had discussed personnel and legal matters.Lastly, Mayor Henry Kline announced that this would be his very last council meeting."I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," said Kline. "It's been a wonderful 40 years."Members thanked Kline for everything he had done for the borough during his four decades as a council member and mayor.