28 December 2009 - Regular Meeting
Agenda at Meeting
(click here for the Agenda e-mailed to Council members - 11:19 am Thursday, 24 December, 2009)
(Information about the meeting follows the agenda)
Meeting opened 7:30 - S. Waldron absent
I read my letter of resignation from the directorship of the Departments of Highways and Sewer.
The reasons given were as stated, however the Mayor and Councilman Perno used to occasion to publicly attack my handling of the department.
The mayor refused to even respond to my requests earlier in the week for a private meeting to discuss issues with the department. At the Council meeting he stated that he was told that I expected to be "demoted" from the position. I responded that he should have spoke directly to me about any issues he had rather than rely on rumor and hearsay for his information.
Councilman Perno attacked my handling of the department, claiming that I never used up the preventive maintenance budget for vehicles, so he could not understand how I could claim a failure of Council to provide adequate equipment as a reason for problems in the department. An interesting assertion, and as accurate as Mr. Perno usually is when trying to rebut a challenge - there is no specific preventive maintenance budget for vehicles! It's all part of a general vehicle maintenance budget - which the Fire Department raided in 2009!
Public Comments:
Mrs. Tom Evaul discussed specifics of the Cuzzupe real estate deal, wherein the borough is buying 9 E. Park Avenue. Included were questions about Mr. Cuzzupe's commitment to build the foundation and do rough utilities work for the relocation of the EMS building. Frank North indicated that that is part of the deal reached with Cuzzupe.
Mr. Alex Woshenko brought issues Fieldstone (the TCE Redevelopment Contractor) is having in Mercer County to the Council's attention.
Mr. Jim Moore asked about the federal stimulus bond for the bike path. Mr. Perno stated that he has checked into it, and the borough will get the money within 60 to 90 days after completion of the work.
Ms. Agnes Madden spoke at length about a personal issue with one of the Council members (Mr. Brunton). Mayor North lost control of the meeting for a time.
Old Business: None
New Business:
On consent agenda:
Passed 5-0.
Council approved the auction of a 2004 vehicle auction on e-bay.
Mr. Brennan discussed the proposed "Live where you Work" program.
Mr. Brunton asked for clarification of authority to negotiate purchase of 9 E Park. Mr. North explained that the PNC Bond Ordinance gave authority.
Resolution 09-158 to go into Private Session to discuss Personnel passed 5-0.
Return to Public Session
Adjourn 8:43 pm