UNION TOWNSHIP, PA. Supervisors remain split over spending plans

The township has asked a bank about a line of credit.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- There's controversy over whether Union Township has enough money to finish the year.
Supervisor Steve Galizia, who is up for re-election next month, criticized the other two supervisors during the regular meeting Wednesday for their plans to buy a high-lift through the state piggyback purchasing program. The program makes equipment available to local government at a cut rate.
Galizia said that state liquid fuels money which would be used for the purchase should instead be set aside because it can be used to pay wages for the road crew.
He said that budget balances at the end of the third quarter indicate the township cannot meet payroll without the liquid fuels money.
Supervisors Kenneth Guinaugh and interim Supervisor Clair Damon voted for the high-lift purchase with Galizia dissenting.
Galizia insisted that the township faces a budget deficit and contended a tax increase is inevitable next year.
He said he has been asking for a month for the other supervisors to discuss the budget with him but has got no response.
He said he learned Wednesday morning that "we are already talking to a bank to borrow money."
What usually happens
Guinaugh, however, disagreed that a deficit will occur, emphatically stating the township will end the year in the black. He agreed that current fund balances do not look good but said a similar picture has emerged in the fourth quarter in previous years and that the township has always avoided a deficit.
Secretary-treasurer Sally Byler said after the meeting that the township has approached a bank about a line of credit so it will be prepared if money must be borrowed in anticipation of next year's taxes. She said some municipalities do this routinely.
Another dispute
There was also disagreement over attorney fees paid to a Pittsburgh law firm.
Galizia voted against paying a $1,762 bill from Thorp, Reed & amp; Armstrong. Damon said he contacted the labor lawyers after Police Chief Joe Lombardo handed him a notice that the police union was going to arbitration -- before negotiations had even begun on the new contract.
Damon said he asked Lombardo to change it to a notice to begin negotiations, but he said Lombardo refused.
Damon said he and Guinaugh agreed to contact the township labor attorneys for advice.
Damon and Guinaugh contended that part of the attorney bill was for an hourlong conversation Galizia had with one of the attorneys. But Galizia said it was only a 15-minute conversation and consisted of his providing information in the township's defense, which Damon and Guinaugh had failed to provide to the law firm.
Galizia contended most of the bill resulted from Guinaugh and Damon's efforts to avoid recognizing the new police union. Union Township police are in the process of switching bargaining units.
Township resident Richard Pauline asked supervisors why there appears to be so little communication between them. "You guys have got to communicate," he said. "The township will go nowhere until you guys communicate."