Glassport council approves salary and shade-tree ordinances, secretary terms, Teamsters MOU and police chief contract extension

Glassport Borough Council on Jan. 21 approved a series of personnel, administrative and capital measures and heard routine committee reports on public works, fire department grants and community events.

Council President Anthony Colecchi convened the meeting and noted an executive session held Jan. 14 about personnel, real estate and possible litigation. After approving minutes from prior special and regular meetings, the council received reports that MBM Collections remitted $6,889.64 in December and that year-to-date delinquent real-estate collections total $222,373.54. Public Works reported the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection accepted the closure report for removal of an underground storage tank at the borough’s Public Works garage, requiring no further action.

Fire Department updates delivered by Councilman Paul Trunzo noted 44 calls in December (596 in 2024), 1,258 man-hours of training and a FEMA grant to build a new firefighter fitness center expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. Trunzo said a staffing study from the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute recommended establishing a stipend program and the department is pursuing funding to implement it.

Council approved several motions by recorded vote. By motion of Meghan DeVerse and second of Paul Trunzo, the council adopted Ordinance 1233, the 2025 Salary Ordinance. By motion of DeVerse and second of Angelo Norelli, council adopted Ordinance 1234, amending Ordinance 920 to change membership and create a Shade Tree Commission. Council also approved Resolution 1 (1/21/25) establishing the terms and conditions of employment for the borough secretary.

The council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Teamsters Local No. 205 covering adjustments related to 12-hour shifts, subject to final solicitor review, on a motion by Paul Trunzo and second by Meghan DeVerse.

On personnel action affecting public safety, council voted to approve a contract extension for the Chief of Police according to the agreement’s terms; the motion (made by Mark Stecak, seconded by DeVerse) passed with four yes votes and one recorded abstention by Councilwoman Meghan DeVerse. Two members (Kowalski, Nabors) were absent for that vote.

Financial business included approval of the monthly Treasurer’s Report and payments of General Fund bills for December totaling $1,370,862.06 and Sewer Revenue Fund bills of $82,555.23. The borough manager, Elaina Skiba, moved and the council approved advertising for bids on ceiling tile and light fixture replacement projects tied to an $850,000 LSA grant that Council said Senator Pisciottano helped secure for the borough.

Other council actions: donations of $100 each to the South Allegheny Youth Baseball Team and Glassport American Legion Post 443’s Polar Plunge (benefiting service dogs for veterans); authorization to enter into an agreement with Iworq Systems Inc. for a web-based municipal management system pending solicitor review; and notice that Senator Pisciottano will open a weekly satellite office in Glassport once paperwork is finalized.

The meeting concluded after brief reminders that elected officials must complete and return ethics forms.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 1233 (2025 Salary Ordinance) — motion by Meghan DeVerse, second by Paul Trunzo; vote recorded as Yes 5, No 0, Absent 2; Ordinance 1234 (amend Shade Tree Commission) — motion by Meghan DeVerse, second by Angelo Norelli; vote Yes 5, No 0, Absent 2; Resolution 1 (secretary terms) — motion by Trunzo, second by DeVerse; vote Yes 5, No 0, Absent 2; MOU with Teamsters Local No. 205 — motion by Trunzo, second by DeVerse; vote Yes 5, No 0, Absent 2; Chief of Police contract extension — motion by Mark Stecak, second by Meghan DeVerse; roll call: Norelli yes, Stecak yes, Trunzo yes, Colecchi yes, DeVerse abstain; motion carried.

Next steps: solicitor review where noted (Teamsters MOU, Iworq agreement), bid advertising for LSA-funded building work, and administrative follow-up on the fire department staffing funding options. The meeting adjourned following motion and recorded vote.