Jun 13, 2014 By Erin Hayes for The 3 min read

PERRYOPOLIS — Council members moved to take legal action against a waste collection company that owes the borough more than $19,000 in past due quarterly payments.

At their meeting last month, council asked the solicitor to draft a letter to Fayette Waste LLC., requesting payment of monies owed. Council President Paul Black had described the issue as an ongoing one, and the amount owed as “a large sum.”

On Wednesday, council voted unanimously asked Solicitor Deanna Fahringer to pursue collection through magisterial court against the company for failing to pay $19,632 owed to the borough.

The amount reflects what was owed over the last eight months, said Fahringer.

“We’re in a position at this point, after sending several letters that have received no response, that this is our only recourse to collect,” Fahringer said.

Council also voted to permit Davis & Davis, the firm Fahringer works for, to file a petition to gain access to outstanding balances remaining after an ambulance company stopped providing services to the borough, and dissolved the board that ran its operations. Fahringer said those funds are expected to be about $30,000.

According to Councilman Gary Hoose, the account they are trying to gain access to contains borough funds that were allocated for use by the ambulance service, Perryopolis Ambulance, which stopped providing services several; years ago. Council cannot access those funds without a court order, since the board overseeing the ambulance service has also been dissolved.

Also at the meeting, council agreed that the budget would need to be reworked. Councilman Bob Zundel said that the finance committee would need to make some adjustments to the 2014 budget.

At previous meetings, council has cited money concerns when undertaking several small, unplanned-for but necessary expenditures such as repairs and the replacement of equipment.

Zundel said he would continue to look over the budget to see where adjustments could be made and offer a report at the next council meeting.

Council also voted to seek further information before entering into an agreement with PennDOT that specifies a trading of services or goods of equal value that Black likened to a “barter system,” regarding winter road maintenance.

“Bottom line is we’re doing (winter maintenance) anyway. Why not enter into an agreement and at least get something for it?” said Black, adding that the borough would need to keep close tabs on the man hours involved in order to make the barter work.

Borough Secretary Colleen Pontoriero said that initial talks with PennDOT included a trade of gravel, chip and tar. However, she said the borough does not use tar and chip.

Instead, Black suggested that the trade include cold patch, a more sought-after and more expensive commodity.

In other business, council:

— Granted permission for the borough solicitor to enter into an agreement with Wells Fargo in reference to the Frazier estate.

— Upon receiving a letter of approval from K-2 Engineering, approved the John Shenal sub division plan.