East Beth officials proud of accomplishments
EAST BETHLEHEM – The East Bethlehem Board of Commissioners boasted of its accomplishments within the three years since four of the five commissioners were elected. Commissioner Paul Battaglini said the commissioners “had to overcome many issues,” such as “deplorable” road conditions. With $35,000 budgeted for road resurfacing in 2007, a total of $117,000 will have been put toward roadwork.
Battaglini said with a low starting budget, the commissioners borrowed $75,000 in the form of a tax anticipation loan when they took over, noting that the loan was paid back before the end of the year and “we haven’t been faced with that problem since.”
Commissioner Mike Packrall said that the commissioners “really saved this community some money” and the town is “going to make history.”
“We’re going to have this town better than the parkway down Pittsburgh,” Battaglini said, noting that Fredericktown is not listed in several tourbooks.
Battaglini said the commissioners secured a $30,000 grant for a new police vehicle and $20,000 for a comprehensive plan. He said at the end of the year a zoning study will be completed and implemented, as well.
In other matters, Battaglini said a petition is going around to impeach him as a commissioner.
“I’ve had more people call me than are on the petition,” he said. “When I saw the names on that petition, I’m not worried.”
The commissioners, except for Battaglini, voted to hire Officer John Miller full time.
Giovanelli said making the part-time officer full time would be an increased cost of $34,000.
Battaglini said a part-time staff was sufficient. Commissioner Gus Impiccini asked that the officer have a set schedule.
In another matter, the commissioners questioned restructuring the township’s sewerage authority.
Battaglini compared the sewerage board to Centerville’s board, noting that Centerville charges their customers $32 a month while East Bethlehem pays $50 a month.
He also said that their secretary comes in once a month to do the billing while East Bethlehem employs a full-time secretary.
“I don’t want to bash anyone,” Packrall said. “They’re doing their job as they see fit.”
Packrall said ATS Chester Engineering is putting together proposals to present to the board.
Giovanelli said the board of commissioners was on a “fact-finding mission.”
“We’re making sure the entities of the community that use taxpayers money are made fiscally responsible,” he noted.
In an unrelated matter, the board also voted to bill the sewerage authority $150 for the cost of repairs to the township’s snowplow whenever manhole covers damage the equipment.