Former mayor appointed to Charleroi council Borough also doubles apartment unit fee

CHARLEROI – A former Charleroi mayor was appointed Monday to fill a vacant seat on borough council.
Council unanimously appointed Frank Paterra to the seat vacated Monday following the resignation of Terry Newstrom, who was elected Charleroi mayor in November.
Pattera was in the audience for the vote, and later said he applied to fill the vacancy. He served one four-year term as mayor, beginning in 2006.
In other business, council doubled the $50 apartment unit fee, upsetting a local landlord who attended the meeting.
Local businessman Mark Alterici said the new fee is excessive and came at a time when landlords already signed leases with tenants.
“You guys made a huge mistake,” Alterici said. “You’re taking away from the people who are in town.”
Charleroi charges the fee to cover for costs such as inspections and police calls, borough Manager Donn Henderson said.