Former supervisor claims he was falsely accused
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – A former supervisor said Thursday that he was forced from office last month by two of the current officials and falsely accused of wrongdoing. In a prepared statement, former township Supervisor Donnie Hann said that he would not have his name dishonored.
“The Hann name has always been well liked, respected and looked up to and I will not let a couple of people in this township drag our name through the mud,” he said.
Last month, shortly after the start of the township meeting, Supervisor Rick Adobato called for an executive session and an hour later returned with a letter from Hann stating that he had resigned due to personal reasons.
Hann exited a rear door of the Connellsville Township VFD fire hall where the township meetings are held.
Hann said Thursday that he regretted allowing solicitor Richard Bower to persuade him to leave the meeting through the back door.
“It was a set up deal,” he said. “I was forced to resign (my position as) the chairman and roadmaster.”
Hann did not elaborate on the details of the May executive session. However, during the months leading up to his resignation, Hann often exchanged heated words with Supervisor Bob Carson about missing township equipment.
Carson alleged that a snowplow and other township-owned equipment had been sold or given away without following proper procedures.
Hann denied any wrongdoing.
In April, former Supervisor Sally Stoots resigned. Adobato was appointed by Hann and Carson to fill her unexpired term of office.
Adobato was elected as board chairman and Carson appointed as township road master following Hann’s departure.
In the statement, Hann also thanked several area businesses and neighboring communities for assisting the township during his tenure.
Following the meeting, Carson declined to comment about Hann’s statement.
“We have a new direction that we are following,” he said.
Hann was replaced by former Connellsville Police detective Lt. Tom Cesario, who was named vice-chairman at the Thursday meeting.
Turning to other business, the supervisors tabled a single electrical bid tied to the construction of a township building on property owned by the municipality along McCoy Hollow Road.
Last month, the officials awarded contracts for general construction, mechanical and plumbing, but had not received any bids for the electrical work.
The sole bid was from Keegan Electrical of Bentleyville in the amount of $29,200.
The township’s engineer and code enforcement officer, John Over of K-2 Engineering, said the township has sought electrical bids three times.
According to township secretary Leah Brothers, the township has set aside $52,000 for the project and has received a $40,000 state Department of Community and Economic Development grant to fund the new construction.
Supervisors plan to apply for a low-interest loan through the Local Government Capital Project Loan Program should additional funds be needed.
In other matters, the supervisors tabled the adoption of the multi-municipal plan as recommended by Mullin & Lonergan Associates. The resolution indicated the township had conducted a June public meeting to garner input. Adobato said that the supervisors were not advised in advance of the meeting and did not attend. A public hearing will be scheduled for July 8 at 6 p.m.
n Advised residents to maintain properties and contact the township or K-2 Engineering if they plan to do any new construction or adding on to a home or building for required permits.
n Alerted homeowners that all contractors and landscapers are required to be licensed through the state Attorney General’s Office.
n Agreed to advertise for the sale of an unused office trailer purchased by the previous administration.
n Approved the purchase of warning light bar systems for two township trucks at a cost of $2,009.
n Agreed to purchase a truckload of new road patching material at a cost of $85.80 per ton delivered to the township. Carson said that the material has been recommended by PennDOT and several local municipalities.
n Tabled action on a request by a private property owner to help with the clean up of the adjacent gravesite of Connellsville founder Zachariah Connell.