Oct 13, 2018 3 min read

CHARLEROI – Borough officials are taking a proactive approach to potentially avoid the need for filing for assistance under a state plan meant to help financially struggling municipalities.

Council members agreed to invite a representative from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, Governor’s Center for Local Government Services, to talk about alternatives to Act 47. This presentation will be held at the municipal building at 6 p.m. Nov. 8, prior to the next council meeting, and will be open to the public.

DCED works with municipalities that are experiencing fiscal difficulties and helps them find matching grant funds to develop comprehensive multi-year financial plans and establish short- and long-term financial objectives.

“We want the public to attend this presentation and learn what could happen if the borough goes into Act 47 and what can be done to prevent that from happening,” said Councilman Larry Celaschi during council’s Thursday meeting. “Once you’re accepted into Act 47, it’s tough to get out of it. It’s their terms, and we don’t have a say in anything that’s done.”

According to Celaschi, if council agrees to move forward, the borough would put out a call for proposals and interview independent financial consultants to implement an early intervention program. The consultant would prepare a three- to five-year financial plan and management review of the borough. The plan would also outline short- and long-term financial, managerial and economic development strategies that the borough can consider implementing to potentially strengthen its financial capacity.

Celaschi added the borough probably would not see any benefit from an early intervention program until 2020.

Solicitor Gary Matta told council the program could be helpful for Charleroi as officials search for ways to resolve some of its financial issues.

“I’ve done a number of these programs before and recently brought it to Monessen,” Matta said. “If you decided to follow through with it, there are grants out there for this type of program. There isn’t any cost for you at this point. I definitely recommend it.”

Celaschi said the borough will soon find itself at a financial crossroad.

“It’s difficult to keep up with the rising costs for our police department and health care,” he said. “We aren’t seeing the same tax revenue stream because our census is lower. If we don’t take action soon, it will be too late.”

In other business:

• Council authorized renewal of its Pitney Bowes fair market value lease and approved the CDBG program selection of home rehabilitation for $75,000 and street improvements for $150,000.
• Celaschi recommended that the borough explore a taking a shared services approach with other municipalities to save money for the purchase of an asphalt zipper for paving.
• Councilwoman Jeannine Motycki distributed the borough’s tentative 2019 budget to other council members for review.
• Councilwoman Nancy Ellis said she is working with the Mon Valley Alliance to find grants to help purchase a new street vehicle.
• A representative from Information Technology Services made a presentation to council about security cameras and in-house security systems.
• Several upcoming events were announced, including the Charleroi Fall Festival/Rally for Recovery, Oct. 20, 1 to 7 p.m.; downtown Trick or Treating, Oct. 24, 5:30 to 7 p.m.; Halloween Parade, Oct. 24, starting at 7 p.m.; and regular trick or treating, Oct. 31, 6 to 7 p.m.