Norristown council approves 2011 budget with 12.7 percent tax increase

Dear residents,

Tonight, I made a very tough vote. I voted to approve a proposed $29 million dollar budget that will raise your municipal property taxes 12.7 percent. The millage rate increases to 11.95 mils from 10.6 mils. For an average house in Norristown, valued at $95,000, this will result in a tax increase of about $128.00.

There was nothing easy about this. I'm not sure all of the toughest decisions were made that could be made. But council is a group, and in this instance there would be no victory for anyone, including residents, to give a solo protest vote.

Rather than protest, I will continue to live up to my promise to assure your tax dollars are used wisely and efficiently.

I think that early in 2011 you will see some progress made that will indicate in a meaningful and tangible way that I am committed to wise and efficient use of YOUR money. Overall, we intend to at minimum maintain our overall levels of service. And in many instances find new ways to provide better service.

I am proud to say Norristown is going to invest tens of thousands of dollars in improving the Firemen's bandshell at Elwood Park. An improved bandshell will mean a safer and more enjoyable place to listen to music, see fireworks and entertain with family and friends in the park. It's a small investment financially, but sure to pay big community-wide dividends.

We are also planning to hire a fulltime Public Works director early in 2011. This hire will fill a huge need at Municipal Hall and provide a consummate professional, who will enable our Public Works department to provide a higher level of service to the community. This position has been budgeted for, but not filled, for several years in the Norristown budget, so it is not an increase in overall expense from a budget perspective. But again, the gains in stronger management, a fulltime presence, and seasoned experience in a variety of critical areas related to Public Works should more than pay for itself in huge gains for our community.

Finally, let me commend outgoing Council President Bill Caldwell for his service. Bill served admirably in what was certainly a difficult year. None of us expected the jump in gun violence, or the complaints over parking regulations, nor the debacle that is 770 Sandy Street. I think Bill stepped up and led. He first and foremost led our seven-member council. But he also led in the community, often engaging residents in community meetings, and representing this community proudly at many important civic functions.

I thank Bill for supporting me in my first year of council and I look forward to continuing to work with him as he seeks re-election to council in 2011.

I welcome Councilwoman Linda Christian to the presidency of council in 2011. As many of you know, Linda in largely responsible for my entry in to service as an elected official in Norristown. My political engagement in this community began several years ago by attending Linda's community meetings.

I have no doubt Linda will bring a constituent-focus to leading our council in 2011. I am excited to be a part of a constituent-focused council -- not just on small problems, like potholes, but in big policy priorities -- locally and at the county, state and federal levels as well.

May the voice of Norristown be heard from Harrisburg to Washington, and most importantly on the streets of our neighborhoods in 2011 more than ever!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve in 2010.

I'm listening to you and look forward to continuing to work with and serve you in 2011.

Happy New Year!

Warmly,


Councilman At-Large Marlon Millner

Snowmaggedon fails to materialize

Monday
Dec. 27, 2010

Dear residents,

We have weathered our first real winter storm of the season, and it came at an ideal time.

Though the storm delivered four to six inches in many areas, we are in the midst of the Christmas holiday, and lots of people are already off of work, or could easily take a day off. This enabled our Public Works crews to get out there and hit those streets.

As of 4pm today, when I began my tour, the streets look pretty good. The reality is that Norristown has lots of narrow, one-way streets, where cars park on both sides of the street. Frankly, these narrow, one-way streets, which are jam-packed with cars are simply difficult to plow.

After last year's back-to-back blizzards -- and our less than stellar response in the mind of residents -- I directed our Public Works team to draft a new snow emergency and snow maintenance plan. The snow emergency plan calls for us to declare certain streets a snow emergency route in a major storm. Moreover, the plan calls for diverting parked cars from narrow streets to nearby parking lots, possibly at schools, county lots, and private businesses.

I realize some will consider this an inconvenience, however, it is a quality trade-off to ensure these narrow streets don't become impassible for days on end.

Norristown simply has not had an official snow emergency plan on paper, and boroughs around the state are expected to have such a plan.

I will be looking for additional input from residents in 2011. But we hope to put the plan in place and make Norristown a much safer place to park and drive during winter's worst.

Please let me know if you have any feedback or concerns.

Sincerely,

Councilman at-large Marlon Millner