SU RE 8 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, November 8, 2000 RR Borough (continued from page 1) received letters commending her performance. Council members John Oliver and Patricia Peiffer said it was a question of finance; the borough was doing away with the clerk’s position due to the cost. “It came down to an issue of dollars and cents,” Oliver said. William Peiffer, Council President, said it was a question of practicality. “It seems one full-time person can handle the office.” When told the clerk's position was done away with for budgetary reasons, Buttorff was surprised. “You mean they put me through that public humiliation — and it was because of budget?” she asked incredulously. “I thought it was because they thought Iwas alousy clerk.” Buttorff said she tried her best, but admitted there were things she couldn't do because she was never trained to do them. One of these was to prepare the Treasurer's Report, which she was asked to do following the recent resignation of borough Treasurer Nancy Nelen, even though it was not one of her duties as clerk. Two advertisements for a new borough manager appeared in lo- calnewspapers. The firstad, which ran the first week in September, was for a part-time manager/sec- retary. William Peiffer said its wording, which was according to ordinance, was confusing: “The response was more for the secre- tarial end of it,” he said. The sec- ond ad in early to mid-October was simply for a Borough Man- ager and did not specify any de- tails. Peiffer kept a closer eye on applicants the second time around by having responses sent directly to the Dallas Borough Council, attention: Council President, in- stead of to the borough office like the first batch, and requested by ~ memo that replies be delivered unopened directly to the his home. They were to be addressed to the President merely “as a contact point,” Peiffer said. The first hour of last week's meeting consisted of an executive session in which candidates for the position of borough manager were examined. Buttorff waited outside while three hopefuls were interviewed one after the other by the borough council. When the public was finally allowed to enter the council cham- ber, the first order of business was to announce a decision. Martha Weber, Vice-President and Chairman of the Personnel Com- mittee recommended the borough hire Joseph Moskovitz as bor- ough manager, subject to a six- month probationary period and “You mean they put me through that public humiliation — and it was because of budget?” Sally Buttorff Terminated borough clerk 3 with salary to be negotiated later. Councilman John Oliver seconded the motion, and with one absten- tion by Councilman Dennis Garvey, the other council mem- bers voted yes. Moskovitz was in. The second order of business was to announce another deci- sion. Councilman Patricia Peiffer made a motion to terminate Sally Buttorff as borough clerk, effec- tive immediately. Councilman Kathy Kupstas seconded the mo- tion. Weber and Garvey voted no, but the other council members voted yes. Buttorff was out. Buttorff then got to her feet and addressed each council member by name. She told them it had been a pleasure working with them, handed over her keys, made a few parting comments and left in a hurry and very upset. When she had gone, Kupstas made a motion to eliminate the clerk's position entirely and instead hire a full-time borough manager. Patricia Peiffer seconded the mo- tion, and all voted in favor except Weber and Garvey. Garvey turned to Matthew Reinert, the borough solicitor who recently replaced Theodore Krohn in that capacity when Krohn re- signed, and asked if he had known Buttorff was going to be fired. Reinert replied he had been in- formed the situation might come up. “I was asked if the position of borough clerk was at will and could be terminated,” he admit- ted, but did not disclose who had asked him. There followed a hasty change of subject: some desultory talk about paving and drainage and a grant application; Oliver said of the latter he would “drop it squarely in Mr. Moskovitz’s lap,” since it was one of the reasons he was being hired, after all. It was also agreed to hold the budget meeting at a later date so Moskovitz could be present, and on that note, the meeting was adjourned. It was ultimately decided to hold another budget meeting — during which the budget really would be discussed — on Novem- ber 21. 790 One Year Fixed Rate 950° Current Variable Rate THIS IS WHERE WE DRAW THE LINE No Closing Cost Home Equity Credit Line With FNCB’s Home Equity Line of Credit you can borrow on the increased value of your home to get the money you need. Pay off existing credit card bills, buy a new car, take a vacation, make home improvements ... can even pay for college. For more information or to apply stop by any FNCB | | First National community office or call Community Bank 1-877-TRY-FNCB today! “ COMMUNY IS OUR MIDDLE NAME Dunmore / Scranton / Dickson City / Pittston / Fashion Mall / Wilkes-Barre / Kingston / Exeter / Daleville / Plains / Back Mountain *Alter the first year annual percentage rate will be equal to the National Prime Rate and will vary as the Prime Rate changes. Payments must be automatically deducted from a First National Community Bank deposit account cach month. Maximum interest rate will not exceed 18%. Property insurance is required. The credit line is subject to a $50.00 annual fee. Title insurance may be required with lines of credit over $100,000.00. This offer does not apply to refinancing of First National Community Bank loans or credit lines and the minimum loan amount is $5,000.00. Offer may be discontinued without notice. ‘New manager on the job DALLAS BOROUGH - Joseph Moskovitz, the new full-time Dal- las Borough manager and secre- tary, replaces Milton Lutsey, the part-time borough manager who resigned in August. Although he started working for the borough on November 2, it is not definite that Moskovitz — or anyone else — will be hired permanently in the position. “It hasn't totally been decided,” William Peiffer said; “It’s something we've been looking into, but that decision has not been finalized.” Moskovitz's salary will be determined at the genuine budget meeting, when the final decision about keeping him on will be made. Until then, he will be paid on a full-time basis. “If my memory serves me correctly, it's $26,000 per year,” Peiffer said when asked what Moskovitz was being paid in the meantime. Moskovitz, for his part, ex- pressed enthusiasm for his new job. “My understanding is that I'll be serving not only as borough manager but as secretary,” he said, adding that his duties would be administrative in nature and up to the Mayor and Council to decide on. Moskovitz said he is aware “the borough council still has to dot its i's and cross its t's,” but said, “I have full confidence in the borough council that they will establish proper remuneration.” Moskowitz, who will be commut- ing from the Scranton area, is excited about working in “a beau- tiful community like Dallas,” and said, “I've been looking for a posi- tion of this nature, and in North- eastern Pennsylvania it’s hard to find one.” He also said he has had experience with grant writing and administration, and went on to say, “My intention is to provide to Dallas Borough efficient and ef- fective management practices.” Although he has never worked as a borough manager before, Moskovitz states his previous ex- perience includes working for the City of Scranton, the County of Lackawanna, and the Common- wealth Dept. of Revenue. Most recently he worked as a project administrator for the National Institute for Economic Renewal in Mayfield from March 1999 to May 2000, when he was a victim of downsizing. His supervisor there, Phil Gallagher, said Moskovitzwas a top-notch employee. “You're ‘lucky down there — he's a good man. enjoyed working with him,” Gallagher said. “You're getting a quality individual with good skills for the administrative field.” by Elizabeth Skrapits you www.fnch.com / Member FDIC POST PHOTO/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK A dozen trees on a steep hill behind the former Kingston Twp. municipal building were cut down last week. The township said the trees posed a danger to people and cars in the parking lot below. Trail (continued from page 1) there is no such language in the easement agreement. The town- ship granted permission to the association to use their land for an access route to the trail. “Kingston Township supports the trail. The township granted the easement in the first place, but it (the trail association) has an encroachment problem.” said Box. Inreference to the trees, Box insists the township is simply protecting the public, vehicles, and the building itself from harm caused by six obviously split and diseased trees and six other par- ticularly large trees that were top- heavy and could have fallen in a . storm. This happened three years ago and damaged some cars that were in the parking lot, Box said. “Our only motivation was to protect our tenants and the pub- lic. We are not getting any logging revenue,” Box says. “My only re- gret is not taking pictures before- hand. We do not indiscriminately take down trees.” Ben Jones, attorney for the township, knows of no agreement concerning the use of abutting properties. “The paramount issue ‘Rec park plan to be presented Nov. 16 The board of directors. of Back Mountain Recreation, Inc. will hold a public meeting Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Dallas Middle School. BMT Recreation, Inc. will introduce the conceptual plan for the Back Mountain Sports and Recreation Complex, and provide the public with the Soppuriuntty to make suggestions and ask questions. : No reservations are necessary. Back Mt. Senior Citizens to tour Heinz Rehab The Back Mountain Senior Citizens will visit the John Heinz Rehab Center on Mundy St. on Thursday, Nov.16 for a tour of the facility and a luncheon. Members will meet in the St. Therese's Church parking lot on Davis St. and Pioneer Ave. at 12:15 p.m. Just 15 Minutes North Of Dallas On 309 Nort] of esses, — —— R— Te —— Eastern Penn Supply Compa, © ss. — © 2000 Eastern Penn Supply Co. “Eddie Epsco” And The “Hammer Icon Time is money. tractors save both, EpsCcO offers a (ol@) 8} huge inventory quick delivery on advice, great prices and _ opening in is the safety of the public rather than any consideration to an as- sociation,” he said. Judy Rimple thinks its time for the township and the trail asso- ciation to talk. “We need to sit down at the table with them,” she said. Plans for replanting the hill- side are in the works says Box but the township is waiting for a good rain to assess any runoff prob- lems. Albrecht says ASTA will ask Kingston Township to repair the damage. “No other property owner has caused us this grief,” he said. DHS Grad 2001 Avon Fundraiser The DHS Grad 2001 committee once again will be offering AVON products as a fall fundraiser for the all-night drug and alcohol free party being planned for the Dallas Graduating Class of 2001. Cata- logs will be available at the high school during flex periods each Friday, and during the upcoming drama production the weekend of Nov. 18. Orders for these great holiday gifts will be accepted through Nov. 27. To help of preferred products, gpecial orders, expert just two weeks a new location at 55 West Street in Tunkhannock (The old Ace Robbins buildine.) That's convenience... t hate value... that's EPSCO! b> 4 Main Branch Number 80024328075 Call For A Dealer Nearest You \ 55 West Street, Tunkhannock, PA www.easter npernr. com ” Are Registered Trademarks Of Eastern Penn Supply Co. —— etl cee You Soon! A fo LY
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers