Council got some good fiscal news at its work session last Tuesday in the form of a change order -- roadway improvements performed across the borough in 2011 came in under budget by almost $19,000.

"That's a first for me," said Mayor Jeanne Baratta, acknowledging that change orders are often the result of cost overruns not cost savings.

Borough manager Tom Metzler said the savings weren't due to any particular road project, but were rather the cumulative impact of all services rendered coming in at an amount less than had been anticipated.

“When we do these projects, there’s a whole list of estimated costs, and obviously positives and negatives apply to it," he said. "What was projected versus what the actual costs were, there was an $18,747.44 [difference].”

Metzler said it's actually not unusual to get a negative change order, but that it's always nice when you do.

"Sometimes you bite the bear, sometimes the bear bites you," he said.

Because the total amount anticipated for roadway improvements had already been bonded, the remaining funds will become capital surplus and go toward a similar project in the future, Metzler explained.

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