The 2010 budget was adopted by Bowmanstown Council on Tuesday. It shows expenses of $186,541 and revenues of $235,000, but the surplus is expected to be used during the year.

Employees will receive a one percent raise. The tax for the fire company is .321 mill. There is no increase in taxes with the amount remaining at 10.005 mills.Because Secretary Tracy Burbage does not receive insurance, she received a 50-cent per hour raise effective immediately. That was the practice in the past when insurance is not needed by an employee.Resident John Lyles asked why someone could not come and talk to him about his parking his truck on Railroad Street. Instead his employer, Long Island Cesspools, was fined. It almost cost him his job.Council president Burdell Steigerwalt said he thought Mayor Keith Billig had been to see him. Lyles said "no," and Steigerwalt said the borough was wrong if Billig had not visited.Councilman Norman Engle said he has been notified at various times and the Department of Environmental Protection had visited at least three times.Lyles said they found nothing wrong.Code enforcement officer Sandy Lizzio said he needed complaints from Lyles on separate sheets of paper before he could follow up on them.Councilman William Ravert said he could check if his complaints are followed up. Steigerwalt said he should stop at the office to find out.Lyles said the sewage treatment plant is out of date and wanted to know why East Penn's sewage is being accepted.The plant was designed to accept not only East Penn's but also part of Lower Towamensing and possibly Parryville. It should work more efficiently when there is more sewage, said Ravert.Lyles said he is a certified operator and wanted to know why he did not receive the job of treatment plant operator. Steigerwalt said he was considered when he applied.Council member Pam Leiby said, according to the new burn ordinance, burning will be permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with some items prohibited at all times. It was approved.Councilman Ernie Guldner said he found someone burning leaves and asked him to stop.Sections of road added to the parking ordinance include the south side of White Street for 100 feet beginning at Mill Street, Lehigh Street from Lincoln Avenue to the intersection of Lehigh and Bank streets, the half cul-de-sac of Railroad Street, the cul-de-sac of Lehigh Street, and the north side of Fireline Road from White Street for 100 feet. This ordinance was also approved.Information is being received from companies who want to provide an alternate sources of electricity with the expected rise in prices. It will be reviewed.Solicitations are being made to residents. There is no ordinance to issue solicitation permits so draft copies will be requested from other municipalities.State police fines provided $440 to the borough; realty transfer tax, $1,235; tax claim bureau, $1,087 and $103 from local ordinance violations.Councilman Chad Everett said the wrong dechlorination material was received at the treatment plant and had to be returned.There is a sewage leak at 650 Ore Street. Enforcement letters have been sent with no result. The property owner will be called and the borough will check with its solicitor, Jim Preston, to ask what the next step should be."We have to do something," said Steigerwalt.Engle said he heard the roller was not in good shape - it would not climb hills and the brakes do not work. Guldner said they worked on it and it seems to be okay now. He was asked to check it out.A hearing for Duane Schleicher is scheduled for Dec. 2, 3 p.m. at District Judge Bruce Appleton's office in Palmerton.A covered dish Christmas party for employees will be held Dec. 24.