2 supervisors approve budget amid antagonism, complaints

Galizia walked out while a former official was asking him questions.
By Mary Grzebieniak
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- No sooner was a 2006 budget for Union Township passed than one incumbent supervisor promised it would be re-opened to make changes after the first of the year.
The meeting was then closed without allowing for comments by those attending -- an apparent violation of the Sunshine Law, which requires residents to have an opportunity to comment on agenda items.
Before the meeting, Clair Damon, who defeated incumbent Supervisor Steve Galizia in November's election, complained that despite requests since Dec. 8, he had not been able to obtain any line-item breakdown for the 2006 budget before the meeting.
Supervisor's complaints
His only information came from the budget category totals which were posted, as the law requires, on the doors of the municipal building, he said. Not only was Damon prevented from seeing the budget breakdown, Supervisor Kevin Guinaugh also complained that though he, too, has been asking for the figures for some time, he was given nothing until a handwritten copy was presented him at the beginning of Thursday's meeting.
He voted against the budget, stating, "Steve, this is really unfair to throw this at me tonight when I haven't had time to do any homework."
Galizia then read the line items aloud, without giving copies to any of the residents attending.
The budget passed 2-1, with Galizia and Supervisor Pat Angiolelli voting yes.
After passage, Guinaugh said to Galizia that he and Damon would re-open the budget once Damon takes office Jan. 3. Galizia replied, "You have every right."
Guinaugh also commented that the township has been getting by for several years by using state liquid fuels money to pay road workers. Although this is an allowed use of the money, Guinaugh said the purpose of the liquid fuels funds is to pave township roads.
"We paved only three roads this year," he said and pointed out only $265 is left out of $200,000 in 2005 liquid fuels money. He added that after 16 years without a tax increase, "we definitely need to raise taxes."
Budget discrepancy
Galizia then stated that there is enough money in the budget to pay for the recently hired second full-time police officer, spring cleanup, replacement of a pavilion, sign replacements, year-round road workers and a high-quality snow treatment mix for roads, provided the incoming board exercises "proper management."
However, Sally Byler, former secretary-treasurer for the township, questioned Galizia's figures, which showed the township's year-end balance is $78,629. She said a township secretary stated Thursday afternoon that only $39,300 is currently in township checking and savings accounts.
Galizia stated during Thursday's meeting that because of an approximate $78,000 year-end balance, $39,329 has been used to pay January bills for insurance and workers' compensation. But Byler said those bills were actually due in December and that the true year-end balance is only $39,300.
That's not enough of a year-end carryover balance to last the township until March when tax revenues will start coming in, Byler said. At least $67,000 is needed, she said.
Byler said it is too late to borrow tax anticipation money because such loans must be taken in November.
Sudden adjournment
After presenting the budget, Galizia and Angiolelli voted to adjourn the meeting, despite protests from those attending who wanted a chance to comment. Galizia walked out of the meeting while Byler tried to ask questions about the year-end balance.
Before adjournment, Galizia announced a special meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday. He said the only business on the agenda will be to approve minutes from a Dec. 27 special meeting to buy a truck and Thursday's meeting.
Supervisors will also meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday for their annual reorganization. Auditors will meet for their reorganization at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Auditors are Galizia, who was elected in November, Rich Pauline and J.R. DeRobertis.