The Butler Council approved a resolution to insert items regarding the borough's portion of improvements to the Butler Museum into its 2011 budget Tuesday, moving forward in the process of renovating the building this year.

The borough will pay about $65,000 for construction on the building after the work is completed, while the remainder of the cost will be paid for by grants. The total cost of the construction phase of the project is about $330,000.

Borough Administrator James Lampmann said Tuesday that the borough had recieved bids and at Tuesday's regular meeting, the council also approved a resolution to award the bid for structual stabilization of the building.

The borough has applied for four grants for the restoration project over the course of the past several years, which included funding for a historic preservation plan to be completed on the building, a non-construction grant to prepare bid specifications and drawings for construction and for the construction project itself. Lampmann said he is hopeful construction can begin on the project in coming months.

"It's a great thing to maintain our [museum] and keep it for years to come," said Councilman Robert Fox.

Mayor Robert Alviene said, "We're very happy about this."