Residents in the Borough of Newtown, a separate municipal zone encompassing around 800 residential and commercial properties adjacent to Main Street, have new elected leadership. And on Tuesday, May 14, all of its qualified residents and property owners will be asked to vote on its 2019-20 budget proposal.

Registrar of Voters LeReine Frampton notified The Newtown Bee late Tuesday evening, May 7, that a total of 56 residents cast ballots and elected a new Borough Warden, Jay Maher. Mr Maher replaces James Gaston, Sr, who served in that capacity as top elected leader for several terms.

Mr Gaston will remain active in borough affairs, however, as he was elected to a post on the Board of Burgesses, along with residents Bill Lukas, and Tony Baiad. Betsy Kenyon, Christopher Gardner, and William Lukas, III, serve on staggered terms and will be eligible for reelection next year if they choose to run.

“Borough voters came out in far larger than normal numbers to overwhelmingly support the Borough slate of elected officials,” Mr Gaston said. “No doubt, we will continue to work to earn the trust and confidence of Borough residents.”

Turning his attention to the newly-elected Warden, Mr Gaston called Mr Maher “a measured and astute leader.”

“Often his words are the most important words spoken at a meeting,” Mr Gaston observed. “As Warden, he will spend 15 to 20 hours per week attending meetings, answering resident questions, creating budgets, reviewing mail and documentation, and working with other Borough officials. Only a few people will know of his countless hours of dedication. I thank Jay in advance. He will continue to make it even better in the Borough.”

Burgess Gardner offered similar sentiments.

“Jay will do a fantastic job on behalf of Borough residents,” Mr Gardner said. “He is well-respected, even tempered, and most importantly, apolitical. I’m excited to be working with Jay.”

Mr Maher did not respond to a call for comments by press time.

Mr Gardner also took the opportunity to praise Mr Gaston for all the work he has done so far as a borough official.

“Jim has been a tireless public servant for the Borough and the entire town,” Mr Gardner said. “I believe we would not be in as good a financial position that we are if it was not for Jim’s oversight.”

Budget Proposal Details

One of Mr Gaston’s final efforts as outgoing Warden was to help craft the 2019-20 budget proposal, which goes before voters at a public meeting May 14, at 7:30 pm, in the lower meeting room at Edmond Town Hall.

That budget proposal, which was ratified by the board of burgesses April 9, requests a total spending package of $251,530. While it represents a $22,200 increase in spending, if approved, the current borough mill rate of 0.95 will be reduced to 0.83. A mill represents one dollar in taxation for every $1,000 of assessed property.

This is due to approximately $56,000 in non-tax revenue derived from a combination of $20,000 in 2019-20 building fees, $35,000 in anticipated revenue from the current year, and $1,000 in interest. That leaves $195,530 to be raised by taxation.

The budget proposal, according to Mr Gardner, who moved it to a public vote, also modestly increases stipends for six compensated staffers.

The Borough Assessor will increase from $2,250 to $3,500; the Clerk increases from $4,500 to $5,000; the Tax Collector increases from $4,200 to $7,500; Treasurer increases from $4,000 to $4,500; the building official from $4,000 to $5,800; and the zoning officer from $5,000 to $8,000.

At the same time, the budget proposal reduces an allocation to Edmond Town Hall from $5,000 to $3,000, and a line for flagpole maintenance from $1,000 to $250. A $1,000 allocation to support the Ram Pasture Holiday Tree Lighting has also been added.

Mr Gaston said this year’s Borough budget sees a significant use of general fund money, and if approved, it will deliver the lowest proposed mill rate in seven years.

He added that there is some misinformation being spread as to the amount of a year-end reserve.

“The bottom line is that the fiscal year does not end until June 30,” Mr Gaston said, “and by fiscal year-end 2020, the fund will remain consistent with that approved by our auditors, approximately two times the annual budget.”

Mr Gardner added that such a fund balance is important since the Borough cannot bond for capital projects or unanticipated expenses.

“This is only a proposal,” Mr Gardner said of the request. “If residents want to air their opinions, I urge them to come to the May 14 meeting.”

The incumbent burgess said this year, borough taxpayers are the beneficiaries of “significant income from building fees.”

“We decided to use a fairly significant amount of that revenue to offset taxes,” Mr Gardner said. “And at the same time, like everywhere, our expenses have gone up. We also provided a stipend increase for several Borough workers — the first of such increases in over a decade.”

Mr Gardner also pointed out an increase that would allow for extending some sidewalks along Sugar Street.

“There are mixed feelings on that sidewalk extension among residents and burgesses alike, so residents should come and make their feelings known,” he added. “All in all, I think the burgesses did a tremendous job keeping costs in check and taxes reasonable. I look forward to hearing what residents think.”

A Warden Reflects

Reflecting on his history of leadership in the Borough, Mr Gaston recalled he was sponsored to fill the seat of Burgess Stan Verry in January 1994. Since then, he has served as burgess, senior burgess, and warden.

“Throughout that time, we have created the original Health District with the town and we created the most effective Historic Preservation tool, the Historic District that had failed three previous times,” Mr Gaston said.

“The Historic District was so successful that abutting property owners requested it be extensively expanded. The Dana-Holcombe House, 33 Main Street Enterprise, and the Church Hill Hook and Ladder Fire House are all incredible Historic District successes.”

Mr Gaston noted that the Borough enacted a Main Street tree ordinance that required sewer lines be buried under the tree root line, as opposed to cutting down the historic sugar maple tree line.

“We are currently refurbishing the flagpole and the Soldier’s and Sailors Monument. We are a sponsor of the Ram Pasture Tree Lighting event. And we expanded sidewalks, streetlights, and landscaping throughout the Borough,” he said. “Sidewalks, streetlights, and landscaping services increase property values. Fire hydrants within 1,000 feet of a residence reduce the cost of homeowner’s insurance by more than the Borough tax.

“I’m pleased that at least [75 percent] of Borough property owners receive a direct financial benefit from sidewalks, streetlights, fire hydrants, or landscaping services, and all have a significant indirect benefit,” Mr Gaston concluded.