Apr 3, 2019 By Scott Beveridge for The 2 min read

DONORA – A consultant hired to analyze Donora’s finances has issued a critical management report that places a high priority on council’s need to tone down the discord and abusive behavior.

The March 7 report from Grass Root Solutions of Pittsburgh placed a high priority on its recommendation to members of council that they “consider conflict resolution sessions with an independent facilitator,” the documents states.

“It was quite blunt,” Donora Councilman Dennis Gutierrez said Tuesday.

“Council is divided and we can’t seem to get everyone on the same page,” he said.

The report didn’t cite any specific argument or name anyone on council, but it did state that an ordinance outlining the duties of the borough manager needs to be adopted and that officials “let the staff do their jobs without interference.” It also suggested that the borough manager receive executive training on a regular basis.

Borough Administrator John Bedner declined Tuesday to discuss the Grass Root management review.

Grass Root was hired last year to help Donora stave off a financial disaster through the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Early Intervention Program.

Among the other findings in the management review was the need to keep all borough funds on books, including the police fund.

It also was critical of the appearance of the borough building at 601 Meldon Ave.

The building is “unattractive, uninviting, sends a message of decline and despair,” the report states.

It also said the administrative offices and meeting areas are “inconvenient and uninviting.”

Gutierrez said the report is a good guideline, that council needs to meet and address its findings.

He said the borough was going to paint the building, but needed the money for that project to replace the roof on the street department building.