CHARLEROI - Mayor Frank Paterra stormed out of an executive session Thursday night, angrily accusing council of a "witch hunt" against him.
"I was elected to clean up this community and this council is trying to strip me of my authority with this borough manager," Paterra exclaimed as he came back into council chambers shortly after the executive session began. He remained in the public meeting room with the handful of residents while council continued meeting behind closed doors.
"I was elected by the people of Charleroi. They (council) can put me in room 103 or the men's room, but I will clean up Charleroi," he said, referring to an ongoing feud over which room in the borough building Paterra may use as his office.
Council earlier in the meeting approved a resolution ordering Paterra to use room 103 for his office.
Former Mayor Ed Paluso had used that first-floor room for his office, but Paterra had moved into the significantly larger community room, which is located on the second floor, and began using that as his office.
"They're not going to push the mayor of Charleroi around," Paterra said. "This budget needs to be prioritized."
Paterra said he thinks council should eliminate the borough manager's position. He and borough manager Bob Hogdson admittedly had a verbal dispute, in part over police expenditures, last week.
"I'm sick of this intimidation - I've let Bob know I want to double the police force and clean up Charleroi," Paterra said. "Everything in this borough is anti-police. I want to be pro-police. If you want to get along with me, fine. If not, I'll roll over everyone."
Informed of the mayor's comments following the regular monthly meeting, Council President Mark Alterici said, "I can't justify that with a comment."
But following the executive session and before council adjourned, Alterici announced the lengthy session was called to "discuss some concerns with police and some concerns with officials." He did not elaborate.
Councilman Ken Laird, who earlier in the meeting was named chairman of council's police and finance committees, said police spending in the first five weeks of the year is approximately $5,000 over budget.
If left unchecked, police expenditures could be expected to be more than $50,000 over budget by year's end, Alterici later clarified.
Council approved a resolution limiting the total weekly hours for police at 240 for the six full-time officers, including the superintendent, and 120 hours for part-time officers.
During his mayor's report, Paterra said he had added one additional officer per shift. He said that has lead to additional arrests and more public visibility of patrolmen walking the beat.
As Lt. Jim Disanti gave the monthly report, Paterra asked him how many drug houses are located in the borough. Disanti answered about 25 to 30.
When Paterra asked Disanti additional questions about drug activity in the borough, Alterici suggested any further public discussion on the subject could compromise ongoing police investigations.
Before the meeting concluded, Councilman Terry Newstrom said police spending represents 38 percent of Charleroi's budget. He said that was a higher percentage than in Monongahela, Carroll Township, California, Donora or Monessen.
"We are trying to do our best to give the police all the resources we can," Newstrom said. "Would I like to see it be more⢠Yes, because I have three kids walking these streets."
