Franklin considers spending freeze

By DIANA GOOVAERTS

FRANKLIN – The Franklin Borough Council is eyeing a spending freeze in the wake of a number of unexpected expenses that have thrown the borough's finances off course.
Mayor Nicholas Giordano on Tuesday evening said borough chief financial officer Monica Miebach has recommended the borough temporarily halt its spending. Giordano and Councilwoman Dawn Fantasia, who is on the borough's budget committee, said the recommendation came in light of several unanticipated legal fees, project re-engineering fees and pending litigation.
Fantasia noted certain legal restraints limit how the council can shift money around in its budget, but said the “magic date” when funds can be released seems to be in November.
The council has not yet taken action on the matter, but Fantasia said Giordano will meet with Miebach this week to go over what options are available to the council. Any course of action would need to be brought before the council for approval before its implementation, Fantasia said.
However, the council on Tuesday did take action to approve the donation of three lots on Munsonhurst Road to Habitat for Humanity for the construction of two or three single-family homes.
According to borough Attorney Thomas Prol, the building of Habitat for Humanity homes on those lots will not only help the borough meet its obligations to the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), but will also help the borough return otherwise dormant property to the tax rolls as a ratable. Giordano said the borough previously attempted to auction off the land without success.
Prol said the borough will reap COAH credit from the property for a duration of at least 30 years, during which time the housing units will only be available to low- and moderate-income households.
The council also gave final approval for a $475,665 bond ordinance for various improvements around town, including the purchase of a loader, tractor and excavator for the Department of Public Works, improvements to the Evans Street retaining wall, security cameras for Borough Hall and a sidewalk project along County Route 631.
Councilman Robert Dabinett said the state's decision to halt road projects due to a lack of funding in the Transportation Trust Fund has put a hold on a $165,000 grant the borough was expecting to receive for the repaving of Main Street. Dabinett said, though, the borough is hoping to complete that project as soon as possible.
Giordano said the state's hold will not impact the bridge repair project on County Route 631.