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12.18.09
News Briefs

In the black

Avalon Borough will end the fiscal year in the black, according to council finance committee chairman Tom Michalow.

Michalow said that the borough will have between $38,000 and $58,000 left over at the end of 2009, thanks in part to a $35,000 street repair loan payment budgeted for this year which did not have to be made.

11.20.09
Ben Avon lame ducks defend their records

By LOIS THOMSON

A discussion about whether or not to keep the Carnegie Library Book-mobile service led to a heated argument at Tuesday's Ben Avon Council meeting.

Resident George Trent of Brighton Road started by saying to council that "the budget system leaves a lot to be desired" in that "the public has no participation in the budget process."

10.23.09
Ben Avon could trade Bookmobile for codification

By LOIS THOMSON

Ben Avon is considering eliminating the Bookmobile service in the borough. In drafting the 2010 budget, council member Judy Konitsney, head of finance, said at the Oct. 20 council meeting that she recommends not renewing the service for the coming year.

The Bookmobile comes to Ben Avon once a week for an hour, and she said that on average, 24 people have been using it, of which 16 are borough residents. And at a cost of $9,115, that averages out to $11 per person, per hour. Ben Avon Heights had contributed to the cost in 2009, but is not planning to do so next year.

09.18.09
News Briefs

Education funding urged A resolution approved by the Northgate School Board will be sent to the state legislature, urging representatives to maintain state funding for schools.

"They're talking about giving us less money than they did last year," said superintendent Dr. Reggie Bonfield at the school board's committee of the whole meeting on Monday. "Hopefully that won't happen."

Team elimination? Northgate could eliminate its ninth grade boys' basketball team in an effort to bolster the school's varsity program.

08.21.09
News Briefs

Avalon Elementary parking Borough officials and Avalon PTO members have come up with a plan to help ease parking problems created when parents drop-off and pick-up their child-ren at school.

A resolution approved by Avalon Council at its Aug. 18 meeting will allow parents to purchase a parking permit that will let them park in front of the school, between North School Street and North Chestnut Street, from 7:30 until 8:30 a.m. and from 2:30 until 4 p.m. on weekdays.