"In our little borough, with a small budget, any percentage not collected is great," Councilman John Engelberger said at last week's council meeting. ''It's not like water. There's no way to shut off garbage."
The council authorized Solicitor Ralf Gilbert to send collection letters to about 100 residents who owe in excess of $500 for bills owed since before this year.
Gilbert said people would be given 30 days to settle their account or face possible legal action from the borough.
"It's not our intention to sue the residents of Morrisville," Gilbert said, "but these are not profit-making fees. This is what it costs to collect the trash."
Homeowners pay $46.75 per quarter for trash pickup, and commercial establishments pay $395 a year.
In other business, Councilwoman Jane Marozsan said she would not accept the salary increase approved last month by council.
Marozsan, who was opposed to the increase, said she had been unable to attend the February meeting because of a death in the family. The council had discussed salary increases several times in the last three months, and had even voted it down once.
The majority of the council members approved the $200 yearly increase at that February meeting. That vote boosted the annual salary of a council member
from $1,800 to $2,000. The mayor's salary was also increased from $2,200 to $2,400.
Marozsan said she did not agree that the council should approve a raise that takes effect immediately. She said she would return her $200-a-year increase to the borough.
