Girard, former police chief reach settlement

GIRARD — An agreement between the city and its former police chief has been reached, but officials are still withholding details.

Mayor James Melfi said the city is pleased with the outcome of weeks of discussions with Frank Bigowsky’s legal counsel. Melfi said he expects an announcement of the details Friday, but is awaiting the return of one of the city’s lawyers.

In an Aug. 28 letter to the Girard Civil Service Commission from Atty. Dennis Haines, Bigowsky’s lawyer, the former chief withdrew the appeal of his demotion because an “amicable resolution” was reached with the city.

The settlement stems from the demotion of Bigowsky from chief to patrolman after charges that Bigowski taught private classes while on city time, engaged in conduct that undermines the civil service hiring process and disregarded a valid direct order to meet daily with the mayor.