SAXONBURG — The summer of 2020 is looking boring for folks in and around the borough, as two more popular events have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But as council members made tough decisions about summer in Saxonburg, they also found themselves at odds with the borough mayor after he demanded they start planning ahead for a budget deficit come December.

The borough council at their Wednesday night meeting voted unanimously to cancel the remainder of the Mingle on Main events as well as the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts in early September.

Mingle on Main is held on the third Thursday of each month from May to September, when Main Street is shut down and vendors and entertainment are set up.

That event normally attracts 2,000 to 3,000 people each month.

The council engaged in a lengthy discussion before canceling the popular events, which not only showcase businesses, but bring in revenue for the borough's budget.

The Mingle on Main set for May was previously canceled because of the pandemic, and council members agreed that a few thousand people cannot be safely assembled on Main Street during the pandemic.

Councilman Josh Novotny said he would rather see the event canceled than have organizers attempt to meet social distancing or maximum numbers requirements.

“I don't want to turn people away or tape arrows to street,” he said.

Councilman Scott Herbst said he would rather pull the plug on the Mingle on Main events than discover in hindsight it had caused an outbreak of COVID-19.

“And if they already canceled the (Saxonburg Fireman's Carnival) in July, why would we have a Mingle?” Herbst said.

Regarding the annual arts festival planned for Sept. 12 and 13 on Main and North Rebecca streets, the council seemed concerned with bringing thousands of outsiders to the borough in the face of the pandemic.

“We would be inviting a whole new element into the community, which has remained very healthy,” Novotny said.

Mary Papik, borough manager, said the borough earns about $10,000 from the arts festival if most vendor spaces are filled.

She said if vendors were cut in half to comply with social distancing, revenue would also decrease.

“I don't think we should have it,” said councilwoman Carol Neubert.

Councilwoman Patricia Rhinebolt agreed, adding “I just think it's dangerous.”

The council also voted to cancel all rentals at Cooper Hall through the end of June. The fate of future events at the hall will be decided in the near future.

Potential budget deficit by December

Papik also provided a snapshot of the borough's current fiscal status, with tax collection not really having been affected by the pandemic so far and expenses down by $18,000 over the same time last year.

On the other hand, Mayor Bill Gillespie charged council members with developing a plan now for a year-end budget deficit he believes could be brought on by the pandemic.

Herbst said police overtime will be all but eliminated with the cancellation of the fireman's carnival, Mingle on Main and the arts festival.

Papik pointed out salt expenses were decreased in the winter due to a minimum of snowfall.

But Gillespie said the borough will suffer losses from the lack of Roebling Park rentals in the summer, while workers must continue to maintain the park.

He wondered if park losses would equal 1 mill, which is $12,000 in the borough

Papik said the general fund budget could see as much as $18,000 in lost revenue at year's end if the collection of earned income and service tax becomes an issue.

Gillespie demanded council members come up with ideas on how to save money so the borough has a plan for a year-end deficit.

Herbst and Novotny pointed to the costs eliminated by not holding borough events.

Novotny took issue with Gillespie's tone in insisting the council list ways to save money when expenses have already been cropped as much as possible.

He said many municipalities will likely struggle with budget concerns because of the pandemic.

“I don't know why you're coming at us like this, Bill,” Novotny said.

Herbst said the budget is currently $9,500 in the black on the revenue side.

“I don't see any reason to panic,” he said. “I'm not seeing anything that's on fire yet.”