UNION TOWNSHIP Officials vote, hire 2 road workers

A supervisor said the hirings would cost the township $80,000 in salary and benefits, but another disputed that.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- By a split vote, Union Township supervisors hired two part-time road workers Thursday.
Supervisors Ralph Nuzzo and Kevin Guinaugh, who also serves as roadmaster, voted to hire Lawrence Herb and Chris Pennachio as temporary summer help.
Supervisor Steve Galizia asked why no interviews were conducted for the jobs, and why he was not informed in advance about the hirings. Guinaugh said both men had formerly worked part time and did a good job.
Question raised: Galizia said the hirings would cost the township $80,000 in total salary and benefits annually and questioned whether the township needs two more road workers or whether the money could be better spent on more police officers.
Supervisor Ralph Nuzzo replied, & quot;Don't bring politics up. & quot;
Nuzzo added that eventually the township will have a full-time police force. Police are on duty from about 8 a.m. to midnight.
Guinaugh said Galizia's figures were exaggerated, but Galizia said he had obtained them from a township payroll worker.
Annie Richards, a part-time road department employee, challenged Galizia's figures, stating that Herb has his own hospitalization insurance and will not need the benefit, which is worth $12,058.
Temp workers hired: Guinaugh said after the meeting that each year, four temporary road workers are hired in the spring, then laid off in the fall after working about six months. They collect benefits and unemployment during the winter and work one day a week. He said the township has 70 miles of ditches to maintain and that three workers are needed just to do summer grass cutting.
In other business, supervisors heard complaints about speeding on U.S. Route 224, and about unruly youths outside township restaurants at night.
Galizia congratulated all police and fire agencies involved in the recent bomb threat at Westgate Plaza for their handling of the situation.
Supervisors also discussed traffic problems which may result from development near the Burger King restaurant on West State Street.
They announced that residents of McCracken Drive will receive reimbursement on their street-light payment because of placement of the utilities late in the year. Guinaugh said the lights will be installed in approximately four weeks.