Council can’t agree on Viccari’s contract
May 12, 2009
ECO Staff – Laure Cioffi, senior journalist
ELLWOOD CITY – There’s six weeks left on Borough Manager Dom Viccari’s contract with Ellwood City Borough and borough council has yet to act on what will be done with the position when his contract ends.
Councilman Anthony “Lefty” DeCarbo has been advocating for the last two months that Viccari’s contract be extended for two additional years, but he has yet to see any action.
“We are getting one hell of a bargain. Other areas are paying their borough managers $50,000 and up plus benefits,” DeCarbo said at Monday’s caucus meeting in an effort to get the matter on next week’s agenda.
DeCarbo proposed keeping Viccari’s salary at $38,000 and giving him an extra week of vacation.
But Council President Tony Court said he wants a committee – comprised of Court, DeCarbo and Marilyn Mancini – to meet and discuss the matter before any options are brought to council.
Court gave the same reasoning last month when DeCarbo proposed extending Viccari’s contract, but no meetings of that committee have been scheduled in the last month.
Councilwoman Angela Valvano said she wants to advertise for the borough manager’s position and see what candidates are available.
“I’m not saying I’m opposed to approving (Viccari) as borough manager. I’m saying we are doing a grave disservice to the taxpayers (by not opening up the position),” she said noting that when Mayor Luke Ravenstahl took over the city of Pittsburgh he required all managers to reapply for their positions.
DeCarbo said he believes it’s a great disservice to the taxpayers not to keep Viccari on.
“With his salary of $38,000, there’s no way in hell we are going to get someone to do that job without benefits,” he said.
Viccari says he wants the matter resolved.
“I don’t enjoy being in the middle of what’s going on. I’m not going to sign any papers after June 30,” he said.
Viccari told council members he intends to remain involved in public service whether or not his contract is renewed.
“I don’t intend to retire and die in bed. I’m going to die with my boots on. If I’m not borough manager, it’s my intention to run for city council,” he said.
Councilman John Todorich said he thought there was a general agreement that Viccari’s contract would be extended to the end of the year.
“What I’m hearing tonight is completely new. This is wrong. I don’t like being backhanded,” he said.
Court said he believed that the contract had been extended until the end of the year, but apparently no formal vote had been taken by council.
“In all fairness to the manager, we are in the midst of an election. I personally believe in extending his contract until February or March and letting the new council, whoever that may be, make the decision,” Councilman Ralph Chiappetta said.
Viccari said he just wants an answer.
“If you want me to stay, stand up and say you want me to stay. If you don’t want me to stay, stand up and say you don’t,” Viccari said.
It was unclear at the end of the discussion during Monday’s caucus meeting how council will proceed.
(Laure Cioffi can be reached at LaureCioffi@EllwoodCity.org)
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