Nesquehoning Borough Council is beginning to look at its 2015 budget.

On Wednesday, during a special borough council meeting, held immediately before the regular council meeting, the board discussed its current operating budget and looked at a few line items that should be further investigated for the 2015 spending plan.Councilman Frank Jacobs provided a breakdown of the current finances, highlighting projected increases in the health insurance plans and the current costs of streetlights throughout the borough.Jacobs said the health insurance plans for families are expected to increase $220 a month, meaning the borough will spend approximately $2,640 a year annually per plan. The borough currently has seven family plans and one single plan.In addition, Jacobs said the borough spends approximately $6,700 a month on streetlights, bringing the annual total to approximately $80,000. This bill is taken out of the liquid fuels fund, which only received $78,000 this year.Council discussed the option to remove some of the lights because there are too many in the borough.Councilman Michael Sniscak Jr. suggested having the streets department look into where cuts could be made.Jacobs suggested contacting PPL to discuss the issue further.Council now plans to look at the budget line items at a special council meeting at 5 p.m. Nov. 5 and further discuss to see if areas could be cut.Council members said it appears a tax increase is inevitable. The current millage in the borough is 15.5. One mill generates approximately $64,000.In other matters, during the regular borough council meeting, Sniscak suggested council look into applying for a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Green Light-Go program grant to create a left turn at the Catawissa Street and Mermon Avenue intersection. There is a traffic signal at that intersection, but no turning lane for people turning left to go toward Panther Valley Elementary School, CVS and New Columbus.He said the turning lane is needed to alleviate congestion along Catawissa Street when Kovatch employees get out of work daily.Council asked how this would be accomplished since the road could not be widened in that area.Sniscak said they would have to take parking away from half the block to create another lane so a turning lane could be created.Solicitor Robert Yurchak suggested council contact PennDOT to request a study be completed at the intersection but in the meantime apply for the grant.