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NUANGOLA — Council unanimously passed a resolution this week prohibiting the establishment of mini-casinos in the borough.
Through the office of its solicitor, Jack Dean, the governing body was told it had to act before Dec. 31 to retain a status of self-determination in the matter.
Or as council president Joe Tucker put it: “We’ll have no say if we don’t act.”
The vote on the resolution was 6-0.
The vote was similarly unanimous on a 2018 budget of $203,000.50, which was devised by Councilman Michael Johnson. In discussion prior to enactment, Johnson said he increased an allocation to the Nuangola Fire Company by $1,000 and made a comparable adjustment in anticipated revenue from a real estate transfer tax.
Overall, however, the budget retains taxes at current rates, Johnson said.
In other business:
• Council contracted with Susquehanna Strategies of Pittston to pursue local share grants — revenue from casino gambling — of $60,000 and $32,000 to purchase a pickup truck and erect a pole barn/garage.
• Council scheduled its reorganizational meeting for 7 p.m. Jan. 2, at which time Tom Williams, newly elected in November, will be installed. He succeeds Regina Plodwick. In addition, incumbent council members Tucker, Johnson, Michelle Zawoiski and Mark Gandzyk are set to be sworn in.
• Sabine Thomas, secretary-treasurer, informed council that Nuangola’s share of PennDOT liquid fuel funds will be $32,920.
• Johnson informed council that the Nuangola Sewer Authority has changed its schedule of public meetings from monthly to quarterly.
• Tucker said council will continue to act aggressively in 2018 in regard to blighted/nuisance properties. He said the borough has received “additional complaints” about residences that have become eyesores.