Connellsville debates board appointments
CONNELLSVILLE – Differing opinions on who should be appointed to boards and commissions thwarted several mayoral appointments presented Wednesday for consideration. Mayor Judy Reed has the authority to propose nominees for the city planning commission, recreation board and municipal and housing authority, but council must approve the candidates before they are placed on the various panels.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Reed proposed Thomas Trimpey, Kristen Porter be reappointed to the planning board and Frank Merendino to replace current board member Randy Strickler, whose term of office expired last month. Trimpey and Porter’s terms expired in January 2004.
The planning commission governs construction in the city, including home and business repairs, erection of signage for businesses and new construction. Councilman Brad Geyer questioned Reed’s reasoning for replacing Strickler who had served on the panel for several years.
“Did he ask to be taken off (the board)?” asked Geyer. “No,” responded Reed. “(Merendino) is retired from PennDOT (state department of transportation and he has a lot of expertise in the area of roads; I think he would make a good asset to the planning commission.”
Pointing to recent conflicts involving state roads in the city, including a proposed traffic pattern change to accommodate additional traffic anticipated with the opening of Wal-Mart in Dunbar Township and ongoing road construction, Reed argued that Merendino would be able to favorably advise the city as to courses of action.
Geyer countered that volunteer service to the various boards should be considered when terms expire and if those holding the seat wish to continue, they should be reappointed.
Additionally, said Geyer, council had requested that Reed present her nominations in single resolutions so that each individual would be given consideration.
“I have nothing against Mr. Merendino, but I can’t support taking a willing member off of the board when he is doing a good job,” said Geyer, adding that Merendino would be a welcome addition to the traffic committee where road matters are discussed.
The measure failed with Reed and Councilwoman Chris Wagner voting in favor of the action and Geyer and Councilman Charles Matthews declining to support the measure. Councilman Bruce Jaynes was absent from the meeting due to a family illness.
A resolution to appoint Irene McKenna, Jeff Wallace and Anthony Conte to the housing authority did not garner a second motion, preventing the issue from being discussed or acted upon by the panel. Council did support the appointment of Pastor Don Smith to the Senior Citizens Center Board of Directors.
In other action, council also conducted the following business:
Recognized the 2005 Connellsville Area High School wrestling team, coaches, managers and trainers as the WPIAL AAA Section 2 champions, 2005 AAA WPIAL Team champions and the PIAA 2005 AAA Team champions.
Hired Connie L. Traynor as a school crossing guard on an as-needed basis.
Authorized the city redevelopment authority to submit an application to the state Department of Community and Economic Development (CDBG) for the city’s 2005 grant allocation and an application to the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to obtain funds for affordable housing activities.