WATSONTOWN -- The Borough Council voted Monday night against spending more than $3,000 to paint the police department's Crown Victoria and opted instead to use a little elbow grease to get the work done.

Paint on the roof and trunk of the cruiser has worn down to the primer, according to Chief Dennis Derr, and the concern is that the car will begin rusting if the issue isn't addressed. Since council members hope to make the car last another two years, they want to get the problem fixed without spending money that could otherwise be put into an account for a new vehicle.

Councilman Jack Marshall made the motion to forgo the paint job, and he was supported by Ralph Young, Mary Phillips and Harry Hefty. Council President Harriet Miller and Keith Forney voted in favor of painting the cruiser.

"I agree about the cost, but at the same time, the car represents our community and there is a certain sense of pride," Miller said. "And I'm worried about it rusting."

Marshall said if the issue was safety, he would never deny the department the financial support, but since the problem is merely cosmetic, he suggested the council find a way to solve it in-house.

After some discussion, the members agreed to purchase the necessary supplies and have the borough crew sand the vehicle and prepare it for painting. Forney offered to do the spray painting.

In another police-related issue, Forney expressed concern over the recent increase of crime in the borough, including two home invasions and several vehicle break-ins. He suggested looking into the possibility of starting a neighborhood crime watch group.

"We need to send a message that this is not a crime-friendly community," he said.

Derr said the department would offer support to residents interested in starting a crime watch.

In other business, members of the cemetery committee are looking into the rates charged for burials to make sure costs incurred by the borough are covered. The issue was brought to the council's attention by a local undertaker who said the rates are "too low."

The council is considering the possibility of paying off a $58,000 loan with money saved by closing the community pool. The issue requires members to check the budget to make sure the money is available. If so, the borough would save about $4,000 in interest payments.

The regular monthly council meeting normally held on the first Monday of each month has been moved to Sept. 2 due to the Labor Day holiday.

n Jerri Brouse is a freelance writer who lives in Lewisburg. E-mail comments to scoop@ptd.net.