Carnegie

Council will meet in executive session at 6 p.m. today with officials from the Carnegie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Bureau, which has been seeking financial aid for nearly 18 months.

Tom Snyder, council president who was appointed acting mayor Monday night, said that he was told the fire department could close within two months because of its financial troubles.

The state House of Representatives recently unanimously passed legislation that would require municipalities to ensure that fire and emergency services are provided in communities. Municipalities would be responsible for financing and administering the services, with fire departments and EMS services required to provide financial documentation.

The measures must be approved by the state Senate before they become law.

• Council members convened Monday night to review the borough's financial situation in preparation for the development of a 2008 budget. All council members were present except for Larry Harkovich.

"We really haven't had a balanced budget around this place for quite some time," observed Council member Dorothy Kelly, who suggested trying to trim the borough's legal and engineering fees.

Councilmen Fred Carini and Bob Kollar agreed, with Mr. Kollar suggesting that a local engineer could be used to look over more basic information such as blueprints. Mrs. Kelly said the number of calls to the borough solicitor should be curtailed to cut expenses.

She and Mr. Kollar also suggested the establishment of an emergency fund as a cushion.

Mrs. Kelly noted that overtime for public works employees and police was up, but Mr. Kollar added that salaries are lower. Police Chief Jeffrey Harbin pointed out that some reimbursement for overtime has not yet been received.

Council also talked about getting on a regular schedule of replacing a police car every year. Another cost savings may be realized if the borough's three union contracts are settled so that all members are covered by the same health care carrier.

"Without money, you just don't get anything," Mrs. Kelly said.

Manager Stephen Vincenti said a revised budget would be ready for the Nov. 12 regular council meeting. Another budget workshop is scheduled for Nov. 19, with Dec. 3 and 10 providing additional opportunities to fine-tune the 2008 spending plan.

• Council members are considering a borough-wide energy-savings policy.

"We need to make all the borough workers aware that if you don't need to drive it, don't do it," said Mr. Kollar, adding cost savings could also be realized by shutting off some lights in the municipal building at night, especially outdoor lighting.

"When you drive down Main Street at 6 a.m., this building is sunlit," Mr. Kollar said, to which Mr. Snyder agreed, "Every little bit [of savings] helps."

Ingram

Motorists take note: the borough has restored Mainsgate Street as a two-way street beginning Monday.

Moon

For the 16th year, Moon Community Access Television (MCA-TV) will broadcast unofficial election results beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday. The program will be on Channel 14.