May 12--A former McAdoo part-time police officer said in his resignation letter that he quit because borough council did not follow the proper procedure when it hired someone else for a full-time position.
McAdoo Mayor Dane Watro, who read James Patterson's letter of resignation to council this week, believes Patterson, a veteran, should have been given preference when the borough hired full-time officers last month.
Council members did not comment on the letter.
The mayor claims that council violated Borough Code when it hired Anthony DiVirgilio, who according to officials was not on a Civil Service list of approved candidates.
The president of the Pennsylvania State Mayor's Association, James F. Nowalk, has weighed in on the matter. In a letter responding to Watro, Nowalk wrote "that a police department in this way is subject to the Civil Service provisions of the Borough Code." The penalties include a fine of $100 or imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both, Nowalk said.
McAdoo solicitor Joseph Baranko, however, said Borough Code is up for interpretation.
Meanwhile, Watro said he will pursue the matter further, even if it means going to court.
In other police news, council moved the borough closer to cutting ties with an injured full-time police officer.
Baranko told council this week that he has begun the legal process and will send a notice of permanent discharge to Alfred Walsh effective May 21.
Walsh was injured and hasn't worked for the borough as a police officer recently.
Zoning appointment
Council hired a new zoning and code enforcement officer by a 5-2 vote.
Adam Wisniewski, whose father, Tom, is on the McAdoo Zoning Hearing Board, applied for the dual position. He is studying to become an engineer in college, according to council President John Shigo, who said Wisniewski feels it would be helpful to learn more about zoning.
The two "no" votes came from council members Mary Labert and William Slovik, who questioned Wisniewski's experience for the position and whether there is any conflict of interest regarding his father's position on the zoning board.
Shigo said council received only one other applicant for the position and that the person was interested only in zoning, not code enforcement.
McAdoo resident Ron Simasek, who attended Tuesday's meeting, asked council what experience any council member has when he or she runs for office. He believed Labert and Slovik were wrong for questioning Wisniewski's experience.
Tax on churches
Baranko informed council that he received word from the Schuylkill County court that starting next year three former Catholic churches in the borough that were closed by the Diocese of Allentown will be taxed. The three former churches are St. Mary's, Church of the Assumption and St. Kunegunda.
Reduced speed
The borough will place new speed limit signs approaching McAdoo Catholic Elementary School in time for the 2012-2013 school year. The signs will warn motorists about reduced speed -- 15 mph -- in the school zone. Watro asked for the signs and council complied.
Other business
Council also:
n Approved purchasing 30 new parking meters and locks for $3,849.60. Shigo said the meters are newer models with digital readouts. Council intends to buy 30 meters at a time until all the meters in the borough are converted to digital, he said.
n Approved purchasing a paving roller with trailer for the borough streets. Councilman Joe Madochick said the cost will be around $1,800 after credits are applied.
n Approved buying gas from Fegley's using a fleet credit card pending acceptance of the application submitted by the borough. Each borough vehicle will have a credit card for gas.
n Approved changing the time of the borough curfew for the summer months. Curfew will go from 9:15 to 9:45 p.m. Shigo noted that the siren that goes off will give everyone 16 and under enough time to get home before final curfew at 10 p.m.
Copyright 2012 - Standard-Speaker, Hazleton, Pa.
