Gettysburg Borough reported record July parking and lodging tax receipts as council approved a $156,300 curb ramp project and advanced utility planning at its Sept. 14 meeting.
Borough Manager Charles Gable said July parking revenue reached approximately $258,000, compared with $166,000 in July 2025. The total, which excludes parking tickets, was the highest monthly collection in records dating to 2016.
The borough’s lodging tax, sometimes called the pillow tax, generated more than $25,000 in July, a monthly record dating to 2014.
Gable suggested the nation’s 250th anniversary helped draw visitors despite the summer heat. Although the borough does not collect business sales data, he said the parking and lodging figures indicated strong activity.
Through August, the borough was running a surplus of slightly more than $200,000, largely because vacant staff positions had reduced salary expenses. The general fund held approximately $2.5 million, including about $1.1 million in reserves.
Gable said interest earned on reserves could help balance the 2027 budget. The borough also plans to use its remaining approximately $390,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to reimburse staff salaries for government services before year’s end.
Council awarded the curb ramp contract to Doug Lamb Construction, the lowest of five bidders. Borough Engineer Chad Clabaugh said the base bid exceeded the approximately $130,000 available through the Community Development Block Grant allocation, so an optional $7,500 addition was excluded.
The contractor may complete the work this fall or wait until spring, depending on scheduling and weather.
Council also authorized an agreement with the Gettysburg Municipal Authority to reimburse the borough for designing water and sewer replacements within the Gettysburg Gateway Connectivity Project.
Clabaugh said the broader project includes approximately $4 million in proposed water and sewer work. Completing utility replacements before street improvements would reduce the risk of having to dig up newly reconstructed streets. The reimbursement agreement still required the authority’s approval.
Police Chief David Snyder received authorization to begin the civil service process for establishing a new eligibility list for entry-level patrol officers.
Snyder said the existing list had been exhausted and he anticipated at least one opening within 14 to 16 months. The action begins the applicant qualification process but does not authorize an immediate hire.
During public comment, Gettysburg resident Jenny Dumont asked council to consider an ordinance reducing single-use plastics.
Representing Rise Above Plastic, a branch of Gettysburg Rising, Dumont said voluntary outreach to local businesses had produced limited participation. She provided examples of approaches used by other municipalities and suggested council consider measures addressing plastic bags, straws and foam containers.
Dumont said a previous effort in 2019 resulted in a nonbinding resolution rather than an ordinance. Council took no action on the request during the meeting.
Council also approved eight historic preservation applications, including a change to fiber-cement board-and-batten siding for the Adams County Historical Society’s museum project at 219 S. Washington St. Another approval allows reconstruction of a garage at 40 W. High St. damaged in a trash truck accident.
Officials announced two public information sessions about November’s Lincoln at Gettysburg: Shall Not Perish commemoration and LIVE on Lincoln Square concert. The sessions will address street closures, parking, shuttles, access and other preparations for events during the week of Nov. 16–20.
The meetings are scheduled for Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Gettysburg Fire Department Community Room and Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. in the Gettysburg Municipal Building, 59 E. High St. Both are free and will cover the same general information.
The borough’s electronics recycling event is scheduled for Oct. 10 beginning at 9 a.m. Residents should register through the borough office by contacting Borough Secretary Sara Stull or Planning Director John Whitmore. Volunteers are also needed.
