Township official welcomes DeWeese
FREDERICKTOWN – Vice President Paul Battaglini hopes rolling out the welcome wagon for a new influential neighbor might do some good for East Bethlehem Township. State Rep. H. William DeWeese plans to open an office in Fredericktown, Battaglini announced during the board of commissioner’s regular meeting Monday evening.
“If he wins the election and the Democrats remain in power he’ll be Speaker of the House,” he noted. “That will be like having the governor next door.”
The commissioner hopes the town’s new neighbor might bring “much needed money to Fredericktown,” he said.
However, a resident in the audience during the meeting did not match the commissioner’s enthusiasm. He questioned whether or not the town would receive any help from DeWeese.
Battaglini defended the Democrat incumbent up for re-election in November.
“Bill has given the library, the fire department tons of money,” he said. “What you’re saying, I don’t buy it.”
President Mark Giovanelli said community members don’t understand the “under workings of the township” and might not know the extent of DeWeese’s generosity to the area.
“We’re at the tail end of Washington and we don’t get a lot,” Giovanelli said. “He (DeWeese) wants to bring revenue to the area and stay in touch with the folks in the area.”
DeWeese’s Fredericktown office, located at 527 Front St., should open within two weeks, Battaglini added.
In a somewhat related matter, a motion to purchase a new police vehicle, contingent on a letter from DeWeese promising the township $30,000 toward the cost, failed when no second for the motion came forward.
Giovanelli said he wanted to use $20,000 from the capital purchase account intended for a new vehicle until the money came through.
Commissioner Mike Packrall did not approve of the motion.
“I don’t have a problem buying the car, but I have a problem buying it if we don’t have the money,” he said. “Why put the cart before the horse?”
The board also conducted the following business:
– Voted to adopt Ordinance 2006-1, regulating the operation of recreational vehicles in the township.
– Agreed to investigate a parking situation in connection with a day-care center located on Community Street.
– Decided to send the code enforcement officer to investigate complaints about a junkyard near Clarksville and update the police department on the situation.
– Made donations to next year’s fireworks display. Anyone interested in donating may send donations to the township secretary’s office.
– Voted to advertise a police reimbursement ordinance to recoup police department operating costs.