New Stanton Borough Council has suspended one employee for allegedly using borough equipment for the primary election campaign of a councilman. After discussing the personnel issue in a two-hour executive session Thursday night, council approved a motion to impose a 12-day unpaid suspension on Mary Ann Roll, the borough's secretary-treasurer. Roll allegedly used a borough computer and printer to create mailing labels for the campaign of Councilman Wilbur Bussard. Bussard, who did not attend Thursday's session, could not be reached for comment. "I have no comment at this time," Roll said, when contacted by telephone on Friday. Council President Scott Sistek said Roll will work two days per week for the next four weeks. After the suspension, Roll will return to full-time employment with the borough. "The vote was unanimous for the suspension," said Councilman Jerry Ilgenfritz. In a council meeting earlier in May, Councilman Tom Theis alleged that there were improprieties in Bussard's successful campaign. Bussard, Michael J. Arthurs and Kelly Moore won the Democratic nomination for three council seats and will face Republican Tom Smith in the fall. Theis and Ilgenfritz failed to win nomination from the Democrats. According to an anonymous note that was left in Theis' borough mailbox several weeks ago, Bussard had a borough employee use a borough computer and paper to make campaign labels for the primary election. Sistek said he was not at the meeting when Theis discussed the allegations. "The meeting tape disappeared, so I couldn't listen to it," Sistek said. "We did what we thought was best for the community," Sistek said. "We have a lot of things coming up to address -- bridge and street projects, a contract for garbage hauling. We have to keep our programs running without interruption. I have to make sure the borough continues to function and continues to do what we need to do for the taxpayers of the borough."
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