Future Finances and Ricketts Center On the Table

Two subjects of extreme importance to Pottstown were on the agenda of last night's council meeting.

The first was the month's long deep dive into Pottstown's finances, and whether they are sustainable.

The second was the lease to operate the Ricketts Community Center, which expires at the end of the year.

On the first matter Econsult Solutions Inc. offered the following conclusions:

• Despite the fact that recent tax hikes have offset revenue losses due to decreased property assessment, the borough should nevertheless limit property tax increase to about 1 percent to encourage economic development;
• The borough needs more economic development;
• Without changing anything, borough deficits will reach $1 million by 2024;
• The police department does not need to be reduced;
• Nevertheless, personnel costs, including police, are killing the budget and raises, health and retirement benefits should be limited and reduced;
• The borough authority is well run and the water and sewer systems should not be sold;

We'll have more on this report once we actually read the report and it is analyzed by our sizeable and knowledgeable analysis and research staff....

As for the second topic, that is an interesting development.

For 10 years, the Ricketts Community Center has been operated as a branch of the Reading-based Olivett Boys and Girls Club, to varying reviews from the community.

Issues raised in the past have been no weekend hours and the club rules which prevent adults who do not have background clearances from spending time there while children are there.

A second community-based organization called STRIVE, which has risen up in the wake of increasing concerns about behavior problems among middle school-age children has put in a competing proposal to run the club once Olivett's five-year lease expires on Dec. 31.

Olivett has recent begun opening the center on Saturday's on a volunteer basis by the staff, and is seeking funding to continue doing so.

STRIVE, which stands for Strengthening Tomorrow Requires Initiative & Vision Everyday, plans on being open seven days a week and has a budget $265,000 more than the Olivett budget, but will not cost the borough any more than it currently pays Olivett.

Council gave no evident preference after hearing presentations from both groups.

Again, we'll have more once we know more.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Ricketts Competition & Borough's Fiscal Health