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AVOCA — Council members approved a 2018 budget Thursday which totals $1.102 million, marking the first time this borough has operated on a budget of more than $1 million.

The spending plan calls for no tax increase, which means the property-tax rate will stay at 2.3 mills. A mill is $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

Also during the meeting, council members approved a police contract running from 2018 to 2020. It calls for a 2.5 percent salary increase for officers, according to borough solicitor Charles McCormick.

In other business:

• Council President John Boone took time to thank council members Jonathan Gedrich and Mary Ann Tigue, neither of whom attended the meeting. They will not be returning to their seats in January.

Gedrich filled out the expiring term left vacant by the passing of Councilman Tom Goul in 2016. Tigue, who served on council for 28 years, was defeated in the primary this past spring.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had change like that,” said Boone. “I thank Mrs. Tigue… and I thank her for her years of service.”

• Appointed Councilman Jim Emlaw as the borough representative to the Greater Pittston Regional Compost Facility and Councilman John Vols as an alternate.

• Donated $1,500 to the North East Land Bank Authority.

• Set regular council meetings for the second Thursday of each month in 2018 with work sessions beginning at 6:30 p.m. and regular meetings to immediately follow.

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By Jimmy Fisher

[email protected]

WHAT’S NEXT

Avoca Borough Council members will hold their reorganization meeting, with the regular monthly meeting to follow, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, at the borough building, 950 Main St.

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher