Feb 14, 2008 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

PERRYOPOLIS – Council members said Wednesday they will ask Fayette County officials for $20,000 in liquid fuels money. The decision came after council unanimously agreed to send a letter to the county commissioners and controller’s office, reprimanding both offices for their handling of the money in the past.

Though county officials administer liquid fuels allocations, it is state money.

Councilman Ron Lombard, who chairs the budget and finance committee, said the borough typically asks the county for $10,000 in liquid fuels money.

Council said it will ask for $20,000 this year for road improvement and storm water projects, voting to increase the amount requested after lambasting county officials for their past handling of liquid fuels money.

In January, council President Charles Johnson accused Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites of reneging on $10,000 of liquid fuels money Vicites had allegedly promised to give the borough.

The money was to be used for repairs on a bridge that connects Pope John Paul II Way to Route 51.

Vicites has since said Perryopolis was allocated $10,000 but didn’t receive the money because of a $10,000 overpayment the borough received in 2003.

According to Vicites, borough officials were aware the municipality had been overpaid in 2003 and knew the money had to be paid back. However, the borough had already spent the money by the time a state auditor found the mistake.

Since the money had already been spent, the borough agreed to apply for liquid fuels money in the future, knowing Perryopolis would not receive any until the deficit had been paid.

Despite Johnson’s statements made last month regarding Vicites, several council members said Wednesday that they realize Vicites shouldn’t receive all the blame, indicating that the commissioner has done good things for the borough.

Council agreed to send the letter only if it was sent to all three county commissioners and the county controller’s office, saying Vicites shouldn’t be singled out.

The motion to send the letter to all county commissioners and the county controller’s office passed unanimously, as did the motion asking the county for $20,000 in liquid fuels money.

In unrelated business, council discussed giving the Perryopolis Heritage Society money to widen Old Mill Lane so that emergency vehicles can use the road.

Johnson said $2,000 was budgeted for the Perryopolis Ambulance Association, noting that the association no longer exists.

Johnson said he feels the money should be given to the heritage society.

Lombard said he didn’t have a problem with giving the heritage society money to widen the road but said the society needs to provide the borough with a written request.

Council took no official action on the matter.

As for other matters, council announced Easter treats will be handed out at the borough building from 2 to 4 p.m. March 16.

The next council meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 12 in the borough building.