UNION TOWNSHIP Supervisors change public-comment practice

The statute had been misinterpreted, a supervisor explained.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Union Township supervisors admitted they violated the state open-meetings law this year by not allowing resident comments before acting on agenda items.
Supervisor Pat Angiolelli, who presided at Tuesday's supervisors' meeting, said supervisors have learned that a 1998 amendment to the law requires that public participation be allowed not only at the end of the meeting, but also at the beginning of the meeting or before voting on each agenda item.
The new coalition on the board of supervisors, consisting of Angiolelli and Supervisor Steve Galizia, had been allowing comment only at the end of the meeting -- after action had been taken on all agenda items.
The third supervisor, Kenneth Guinaugh, did not comment on the issue.
Former Secretary-Treasurer Sally Byler had repeatedly objected to the failure to allow public participation at the beginning of the meeting.
"We were wrong. We've straightened it up," Angiolelli said.
Angiolelli said he and Galizia had misinterpreted the statute, thinking after reading one rule book that they were allowed to follow past practice -- which they thought was to allow resident participation only at the end of the agenda.
Tuesday night, Angiolelli, who presided, allowed five minutes for public participation before the beginning of the agenda, as well as additional time for public comments after the agenda was completed.
Township finances
Also Tuesday, accountants Bob Izzo and John Reuhle from Philip Weiner and Co., New Castle, the firm hired to audit Union Township books, reported on the township's financial condition.
Although Izzo pronounced the township "a viable organization run by capable people," he said that in 2003 there was a $40,000 deficit in the $1 million general fund budget. He also said that outstanding payables at the end of the year were not reflected in the audit report, even though "there were some that were significant."
Galizia commented that the township has borrowed $100,000 without interest from the Union Township Sewer Authority to pay bills left from 2003 and to meet current expenses until tax receipts come in next month. Galizia pointed out, as he has in the past, that two years ago the township had a $270,000 year-end surplus and that the surplus has been depleted to meet current expenses, leaving the township no year-end carryover.
Reuhle agreed that the lack of a significant surplus to carry the township through the first three months of the year presents a problem.
Additional business
Supervisors rescinded an agreement to accept a $6,800 cash payment from Waste Management for an overcharge and will take a credit instead because the credit would provide a greater value of service.
They agreed to let the New Castle Area Soapbox Derby use Municipal Drive (formerly Wilson Drive) for a May 1 and 2 rally race, and to look into several resident complaints about noisy truck brakes during the night on U.S. Route 224 between Parkstown and Tony's Lounge.
They also accepted Angiolelli's resignation as assistant secretary-treasurer and appointed Galizia to the post to replace him. Angiolelli cited time conflicts.
Residents were asked to report potholes by calling township offices.