Weissport Borough Council voted to pass the 2026 budget at its meeting Monday.

The tax rate remains the same at 13.9 mills. The new budget includes $288,368.95 in income and $266,019.48 in expenses.

Council also passed Resolution 2025-05, reenacting all the tax rates for fiscal year 2026: per capita tax, $10; earned income tax, 1%; local services tax, $52; occupation tax, $10; and real estate transfer tax, 1%.

“It was going to be done by ordinance,” solicitor Greg Mousseau said, “but, it can be done by resolution, since we’re not changing any of those rates.”

Meeting schedule

Council passed a measure setting the bimonthly meeting schedule, to continue being held the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The reorganization meeting will be on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. in borough hall at 441 Allen St.

Garbage fees

Council also passed Resolution 2025-03, “Fixing the fee for the collection of garbage, rubbish, and ashes, pursuant to Section 17 of Ordinance 1-1983.”

Beginning Jan. 1, the cost for a residence to have one refuse can and one recycle can is $40 per month or $480 per year. Residents with more than one of the cans will be charged extra. The same rate applies to small businesses. Larger businesses and other types of facilities will have different rates.

The due date of the bill is the 15th of the month. A $10 late fee will be charged if not received by the due date.

New ordinance

“I gave to the chairman a draft of an ordinance to allow your tax collector to charge a fee for having to generate duplicate tax bills, to provide certifications of tax statuses when there are real estate transactions,” Mousseau told council.

That ordinance will serve as a template for a future ordinance, so that the borough secretary and the secretary for the municipal authority can charge fees for such services as processing bounced checks, duplicate forms or certifications required in their duties.

Street projects

Weissport Engineer Mike Muffley said that the White Street project will soon be advertised and put out to bid.

“What’s left to get that project advertised is getting the final coordination with the Lehighton Water Authority, making sure that they have no more work to do; and finalize the existing conditions for things like line painting, parking lines and stop bars, existing utility covers that will be adjusted; and getting final clearance with PennDOT on Liquid Fuels.”

Muffley also recommended that the borough set up a free account with PennBid (pennbid.net) that will help streamline the bidding process for municipal projects.

On a separate note, Muffley advised council that there have been no updates on the levee repair project from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Public Works

The Public Works supervisor updated the council on the work being done by the department.

Public Works has been actively plowing and salting streets in response to recent snowfalls.

Residents are reminded of the existing parking bans during snow events.

About 30 residents were cited for parking ban violations, with written tickets issued. Tickets will be issued for such violations during future snow events, so residents need to move vehicles according to the regulations.

In addition, Public Works has begun removing snow piles shortly after snow events. The practice will continue through the winter.

In the next two weeks, Public Works will continue removing snow piles, clearing a clogged drain below the playground, and addressing potholes on Railway Street when conditions allow.

Police report

Weissport Police Chief Matthew Williams reported that there 14 total service calls for November.

They included three traffic warnings, and two each child abuse referrals, quality of life incidents and assisting Children & Youth. There was once each harassment, cyber stalking, parking complaint, assistance of a person and a suspicious person.

Parade rescheduled

The borough’s annual Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. The parade had been scheduled for Dec. 14 but was postponed due to the snow.