In Point Marion, change is constant
POINT MARION – Changes on the borough council continued Wednesday, as another board member resigned and another was sworn into office. Soon after voting to accept the resignation of Councilman Ralph Hoffmann, board President Jim Hackett tendered his resignation.
As the reason for his leaving, Hoffmann cited disappointment in the council, particularly with the borough’s failure to obtain $29,000 in state funding it was due for the Route 119 bridge replacement project, especially since the borough was unsuccessful in obtaining grants this year.
Handing out copies of his letter of resignation, Hackett explained that increasing responsibilities at home and at work have affected his ability to give the borough the attention it deserves and that others increasingly have been called upon to handle his duties.
“Rather than become an ineffective weight other members of council must carry in addition to their own responsibilities, I am resigning so that a more active replacement can be brought to council,” Hackett read.
He noted that the decision wasn’t one of dissatisfaction but one that he had struggled with personally.
The council decided to table action on Hackett’s resignation until the next regular meeting. Members then turned to Mayor Robert Wolfe, who swore in new Councilman Chris Kaczmarczyk. Kaczmarczyk was appointed to fill a seat that came open with the death of Councilman Melvin Uphold earlier this year.
The council also conducted the following business:
– Heard from F&D Hauling that residents’ garbage rates will increase Sept. 1 from $8.25 to $9 to offset the state’s tax increase on materials dumped in landfills. Though the increase went into effect in July, the company tried to absorb the increase rather than pass it on, according to company representative Jeff Dagovich.
He said the cost was becoming too much and that the increase was enough for the company to cover the costs of the tax hike. He also noted that the local landfill is planning to raise rates in January.
– Voted after an executive session to accept an agreement between the borough, the Teamsters union and Keith J. Daugherty to reinstate Daugherty as a borough employee on a six-month probationary period.
– Heard from Councilman Joe Murphy, who said he will meet with the park and recreation boards Tuesday to submit an application to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a $23,000 grant to improve the borough park.