Large crowd protests at Charleroi council meeting
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Honks from passing traffic outside of the Charleroi Borough building echoed for blocks Wednesday as residents packed council’s agenda meeting to protest an ordinance to dissolve the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi.
Council was expected to have its first reading of the ordinance to dissolve the authority last night – but after hours of passionate public comment — it was taken off the table.
Nearly two hours before the start of Wednesday’s meeting, residents gathered along Fallowfield Avenue with signs protesting the dissolution of ABC by council. Other signs offered support to ABC employees and board members.
Before the meeting was called to order nearly 40 people packed into council chambers where it was standing-room only and dozens more packed into the hallway outside.
Residents and others in attendance demanded the meeting be moved to a neighboring room to allow everyone to fit. Council President Frank Paterra, in one of several popular decisions he made Wednesday, obliged.
As people grabbed their chairs and walked across the hall to fill the community room, two Charleroi Regional Police officers stood at the door to ensure order.
The meeting was called to order by Borough Manager Matt Staniszewski and an announcement was made by Solicitor Sean Logue that explained how the meeting would operate with such a large crowd in attendance.
“Because of the crowd and the nature of this meeting we are going to have two different public comment sessions, first on the regular agenda, not the ordinance or the water authority, then a second session to discuss those issues,” Logue said.
He then went on to explain the borough’s public comment policy which allows a borough resident or taxpayer three minutes to speak before council.
Many people in attendance Wednesday, including elected officials from neighboring communities served by ABC, or other water/sewage customers, did not sit quietly.
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Jenn Codeluppi / Mon Valley Independent
It was standing-room only when the Charleroi Council meeting began Wednesday evening.
