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Connellsville finance director says layoffs possible

By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The city director of accounts and finance plans to submit documents today for the approval of a tax anticipation loan, but cautions city workers a layoff is possible should the requested financing be delayed or the requested amount decreased. Councilman Terry Bodes, the city financial director, said Thursday that the delayed document submission to PNC Bank and the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) might also cause paychecks for city workers to be late.

“I wanted to have it in earlier, but getting it prepared and working with the auditors took more time than I anticipated,” he said. “If for some reason the approval is delayed, it might cause us to hold the paychecks.”

Last month, council agreed to obtain a tax anticipation loan in the amount of $450,000 to help with the operation of the city until the tax office receives real estate tax revenues in April.

Bodes, however, said that city spending will be monitored and only necessities required to operate the city, utilities, payroll and related expenditures would be approved.

“I plan to keep the freeze in place for as long as I can,” he said.

On Thursday, council only approved one expenditure not related to operational costs.

The panel authorized the expenditure of $24,065 for the purchase of a 2007 Chevrolet Impala for the police department.

Mayor Judy Reed, who oversees the department, noted that the payment for the vehicle would be funded through a grant received by the department.

Council also awarded a contract to a Dunbar firm to replace the roof at the Connellsville Senior Citizen Center, but that too, said Reed, would not be paid for through the city coffers.

Schobert Construction was the low bidder for the project that drew proposals from seven contractors, including one from Pittsburgh and another from Youngstown Ohio.

Bids ranged from Schobert’s proposed amount of $23,500 to $37,800.

The senior center board of directors will utilize an insurance reimbursement and center funding to defray the cost of the repairs.

Turning to other matters, council hired Antoinette Tesauro of Broadford Road, Connellsville to fill the city clerk’s position vacated two months ago by former city clerk David Pinkosky.

“Her references had wonderful things to say about her,” said Reed.

Tesauro, she said, has multiple college degrees and experience in public relations.

“We can’t wait for her to get started,” said Reed.

Six candidates were interviewed for the position.

Council set the annual salary at $25,000 with benefits to be provided in 90 days.

Tesauro is to begin work Jan. 16.

In other business, council also agreed to participate in Preserve America, a federal program for historic communities.

According to the program Web site, Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve its history and provides grant funding to help with tourism programs and education.

Council also conducted the following unrelated business:

Increased the mechanical device license fee from $100 to $200 per machine; peddler’s license fee from $50 to $75; eating and drinking establishment license from $60 to $80 and businesses serving alcoholic beverages from $80 to $100. All fees will go into immediate effect.

Authorized the state Department of Environmental Protection to have the right of entry to conduct core borings at a property located at 9th and Leisenring streets. City solicitor, attorney Gretchen Mundorff said that the entry was to determine mine subsidence and would include ingress and egress from a city-owned alley.

Approved property subdivision plans for Francine and John Ohler at 408 1/2 E. Gibson Ave. and Charles B. and Anita Noel at 341 E. Crawford Ave.

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