Resident calls for more cuts in spending
At the Jan. 19 council meeting, Edward Lehman of Belmont Avenue told council that it must take action now and cut back on spending to prevent a tax increase in 2011.
“People can’t afford it in this town,” he said.
“We have to learn to do with less,” he continued. “Without change, we’re looking at higher taxes in 2011.”
Public safety ‘wish list’ presented
Also at last week’s meeting, Smyrna Citizens Coalition spokeswoman Melaine Minear of South Main Street presented a “wish list” of public safety suggestions to council and Police Chief Richard Baldwin.
Minear said that surveillance cameras can be very effective in reducing crime, especially with drugs.
“This summer, it was a circus,” she said.
Other “wish list” items she suggested included police reports and a drug educational column in the Sun-Times, and foot and bike patrols by police officers.
Later in the meeting, Councilman Larry Thornton suggested that the town’s public safety committee meetings would be a good venue for residents to bring questions and concerns to the police chief.
Councilwoman foregoes $25 payments
At the end of the Jan. 19 meeting, Councilwoman Valerie White announced that she would like to relinquish the $25 per meeting she receives as a member of council. She requested that the money be put back into the general fund.
“I don’t do this for the $25 per meeting,” she said.
She said that some residents had taken issue with the stipend.
After the meeting, White said she serves on council for “my family and the people who live here,” not for the money.
Three appointments approved
Council approved three new appointments to fill two vacancies on the town’s Board of Elections and an open position for assessor.
Beryl Cook and Kathy Clough were both appointed to the Board of Elections by unanimous votes.
Priscilla Williams was appointed as a town assessor, also by a unanimous vote.
‘Good standing’ ordinance tabled
In other action, council voted to table a proposed “good standing” ordinance after discussing at length how the ordinance should be written.
In essence, the good standing ordinance is designed to require individuals or businesses to pay off any money they owe to the town (i.e. taxes, fees) in order to receive a service from the town, such as a building permit.
Council seemed split over how to proceed with the ordinance, so Councilwoman White made a motion to table the issue into Councilman Memphis Evans was back. Earlier, Town Manager Dave Hugg had announced that Evans was not feeling well that evening.
Senior citizen tax exemption reaffirmed
Smyrna Council voted unanimously to reaffirm the town’s senior citizen tax exemption at the same level as last year.
To qualify for the exemption, residents must 65 or older and meet income criteria. The maximum earned income threshold to qualify for the exemption is $24,000 for an individual and $30,000 for those who file jointly.
For those who qualify, the first $30,000 of assessed property value is waived on the town’s property taxes.
Updates to building code considered
Council also approved the first readings for a series of updates to the town’s building code.
Town attorney Terry Jaywork suggested that council waive the three-reading rule if the issue was not controversial, but Mayor Stombaugh said she preferred to approve only the first reading.
“I’d rather give the public a chance to look at them,” she said.
Council went along with that, and voted 6-0 to approve the first reading only.
Pending ordinances are available for inspection online at the town’s website, www.smyrna.delaware.gov. The ordinances are located under the “government” tab on the homepage.
SMYRNA, Del. —
