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Mount Carmel borough council still mum on firing of manager, treasurer
Published: November 6, 2009
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share thisMOUNT CARMEL - A little over a week after two long-time borough employees were unanimously fired, council held its first public meeting, but the details of the two terminations have not yet been revealed.
During a special meeting Wednesday of last week, Borough Manager Joseph K. Bass and Borough Treasurer Marian Muldowney were fired by unanimous vote after a nearly three-hour executive session. Bass had worked for the borough for nearly three decades; Muldowney had worked there for 35 years. Both employees reported they did not know why they were fired.
While Muldowney's termination seemingly came as a surprise for her and many, Bass's status has been in question since October 2008 when the council opened his position in a split 4-3 decision.
When President Anthony Matulewicz III was asked after Thursday night's regular council meeting if any details of the two terminations could be revealed, he referred the question to Solicitor William Cole.
"No comment," said Cole.
Other business
After nearly an 90-minute executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters Thursday night, council unanimously approved changing Megan Dorkoski from a part-time employee to a full-time one. She had been appointed treasurer duties last week in light of Muldowney's termination, a position she had performed in the past. Chief of Police Brian Shurock had also been delegated the borough manager's duties last week.
Council also decided to stay with the current handicapped-parking application process instead of giving the final decision to Shurock and a citizen reviewer.
Currently, Shurock reviews the application, and the citizen reviewer, a registered nurse, reviews the medical conditions of the applicant. Both then give a recommendation to the council, which grants or denies the application. Denied applicants have appealed and won.
Council considered giving the final say to Shurock and the citizen reviewer, but some members were concerned it would give too much power to one person.
"You're putting it one person's hands," said Councilman Carl Froutz III. "There's nobody to check and balance that one person."
After 15 minutes of discussion, council decided to stay with the current process.
At the meeting, council approved two handicap parking applications at 141 E. Avenue and 330 E. Center St. They also denied one at 424 W. Sixth St.
Councilman Leroy "Chico" Moser stepped down as chairman of the street committee and Councilman Robert Barrett was appointed as his replacement.
A resolution was passed allowing the signing and endorsement of checks to include the signatures of President Matulewicz and either the treasurer or secretary of the borough.
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