NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa (EYT) — New Bethlehem Borough Council was given a deadline of 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, to remove Terry Mateer from the council or face possible legal action by local businessman Todd Bish. Acknowledging that there is no mechanism in commonwealth legislation to remove a councilman — short of action by the governor and legislature — Mr. Bish told the council that he would accept nothing short of Mr. Mateer leaving the board.
(Photo courtesy TechReady Professionals)
In an interview with exploreClarion.com on Wednesday morning, Mr. Bish said that he had not heard anything from the council or Solicitor Seidle.
“This severely limits my options moving forward,” he said.
It is unclear what grounds, if any, Bish has to pursue legal action.
Council has declined to speak publicly on the matter.
Bish Addresses Council with Demands
The meeting got off to a rocky start when Broad Street businessman, Chiropractor Todd Bish addressed the council about how they are handling his demands for Terry Mateer’s removal from the council. At April’s meeting, Mr. Bish read from the March council meeting’s transcript indicating that Mr. Mateer suggested that the borough “knock his building down,” charge Mr. Bish for repairs to the traffic signal pole on his corner, and “raise his taxes.” Mr. Bish reminded council at April’s meeting how he stepped up 10 years ago and purchased the old S & T Bank building from the borough when council decided they wanted to sell the building. It was the borough’s building, the borough’s expense, and the borough’s sale offer. Bish says he finds it incomprehensible that there should be any hard feelings toward him for buying the building on the borough’s terms.
Mr. Bish told the council that he had requested the minutes of the April council meeting but was told by Borough Solicitor Sara Seidle that council had 30 days to respond to his request. He then asked how the reporters present had copies of the minutes since he had been denied them. At that point, the council gave Mr. Bish the meeting packet that council members and the reporters are given. Mr. Bish then referenced the letter that Ms. Seidle had sent him after April’s council meeting. Mr. Bish said that he was concerned that the council had made no “concessions” as referenced in the letter. He said that Mr. Mateer had not filed to run again before the April meeting and that he, Mr. Bish, had no faith that the remainder of the council could be trusted not to appoint him to any vacancy. Council President informed Bish that his five minutes were up.
Executive Meetings Discussed
During the visitors’ comments at the end of the meeting, Mr. Bish again addressed council, seeking clarification on the executive meeting that council held on April 25th at the solicitor’s office. Ms. Seidle explained that the executive meeting, like an executive session during a public meeting, is for council members only and would not be publicly advertised.
Mr. Bish also asked when and how the tractor that the borough sold had been advertised. The council explained that the tractor was advertised in the Leader-Vindicator newspaper and that council received two bids. Mayor Tim Murray was high bidder, but he assured Mr. Bish that his bid was more than the trade in value of the tractor.
Street Paving Planned
Planning for this season’s street paving dominated the meeting. Councilman Darren Bain led the discussion by presenting a list of streets that he thinks should be the council’s priorities for this summer. The list that Mr. Bain presented included about four sections of paving left over from last summer and up to half dozen additional sections of streets in the borough that should be resurfaced.
Liberty Street at the corner of Water Street is one of the streets considered for repaving.
The discussion broadened out to include other streets that could use some resurfacing and whether tar and chip resurface can be used in places instead of blacktop. Streets that dominated the conversation were Water Street, because of the community events held at the park, and Keck Avenue. The lower end of Keck gets significant truck traffic to and from the Peanut Butter factory and the upper end of Keck has to handle ambulances and traffic to and from Edgewood Manor. Confounding the discussion was the fact that there has been no engineering study done yet, and therefore, no specifications to put out to bid on the work. Street Department manager Roger Hilyard said that he would try to get the specs done as soon as possible so council can advertise for bids. Council passed a motion to put out bids on the specs as prioritized up to a cost of $38,000.00 as budgeted.
Water Street in front of the Gumtown Park is also due for resurfacing.
In regular business:
– Solicitor Sara Seidle reminded the council that the minutes of this meeting must include mention of the executive meeting of April 25.
– Council adopted a resolution requiring drug testing for all future employees.
– Council voted to advertise for a part-time street department employee. The young man that was hired at the April meeting found a different job.
– Councilman Terry Mateer reported that the Redbank Valley Municipal Authority was working on a plan to have a single area-wide sewer rate. Over the years, rates have been adjusted in various areas to repay debt for sewer development. The plan being developed would consolidate the remaining debt and establish a single rate for all users.
– Street Department manager Roger Hilyard told council that he had been researching methods of deadening some noise caused by traffic going over manhole covers. He has found a product that is essentially a tar-soaked rope that is laid under the cover and makes a soft rest for the manhole cover. The idea is that the rope gasket will deaden the noise. Council approved an expenditure of $220.00 to purchase some for trial.
– Councilman Terry Mateer suggested that council approach the New Bethlehem Fire Department and request that the fire company modify the use of their sirens. Mateer cited the Borough of Brookville as an example. Brookville Fire Company has agreed to limit their siren to about a 30-second blast to announce fires or other local emergencies. Tornado and flood warnings continue to be announced by a sustained, single siren blast. Councilman Gordon Barrows said that he would approach the fire company with the suggestion.
– Mr. Mateer also suggested that the New Bethlehem Police Department make more use of bicycle patrols, especially in Rimersburg and East Brady. Mateer said that residents are more likely to speak to a bicycle patrol regarding ordinance violations and other issues than flagging down a patrol car. Agreeing to consider expanded bike patrols,
Chief Scott Ryan said, “Just because you don’t see the bicycle patrol doesn’t mean it’s not out there.”
The council adjourned and retired to executive session to discuss legal issues.
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Anger, Allegations, and a Demand for Resignation Shake New Bethlehem Borough Council Meeting
New Bethlehem Executive Session Offers No Resolution to Issues
