Lansford removes water authority superintendent

Lansford Borough Council members have decided it’s time for a new voice on the board of the water authority that serves the borough.

Council members on Wednesday voted to not reappoint Tobias Krajcirik to another five-year term on the Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority board. Krajcirik is one of two board members appointed by Lansford Council, and he served for 16 years in all.

More recently he became superintendent, the top executive position of the authority.

Board members decided instead to appoint borough resident Donna Valent, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for tax collector last year.

The vote was 4-1, with John Turcmanovich voting against and Irma Leibensperger absent.

Jared Soto did not vote. With no mayor in place at the moment, Soto, the council president, is serving as the de facto mayor, which solicitor Michael Greek said makes him ineligible to vote.

At least one council member said he was opposing the compensation that authority board members receive. Matt Walsh said he doesn’t agree with authority board members getting salaries of more than $6,000 and in some cases, health benefits.

“The people of this town are very upset, more than one person, with the amount of money these board members make,” Walsh said.

Richard Pogwist, the borough’s other representative on the board, pointed out that he doesn’t receive benefits from the authority, and was never offered.

Marie Ondrus, who voted for Valent, said she believes there should be term limits for authority board members.

Krajcirik said after the meeting that it was upsetting to lose his position after so many years serving on the board, but he respected the board’s decision.

“I am a DEP-certified water and wastewater technician. People say we don’t do anything. I went above and beyond to fulfill my commitments to the water authority and the borough,” Krajcirik said.

He said the water authority has made more than $10 million in improvements to its system over the past 10 years, while keeping rates for residents consistent.

He will continue as superintendent, something he called a 24/7 position.

In other business

• Announced a special meeting scheduled for Jan. 24 to appoint a mayor and discuss any changes to the budget.

Council reopened the budget after three new members were sworn in last week. It has until Feb. 15 to make any changes to the budget. Because the budget is currently open for review, the borough can only pay necessary expenses like payroll and utilities.

Residents interested in the mayor’s seat must submit letters of interest to the borough office by 4:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Council initially planned to fill the vacancy next month, but they learned that they must fill the position within 30 days of it becoming vacant.

• Voted to seek quotes for a new municipal auditor. Hutchison Gillihan and Freeh has already been appointed, but resident Christopher Ondrus pointed out that the audit will cost the borough $11,700—$6,450 more than Summit Hill paid for their audit, and won’t be completed within 90 days of the end of 2017 as required by law.

• Received a $100 donation and thank you from Valley Road Farm for the 2017 farmers market. Soto and Walsh agreed that the market should return next year and said they hope to see more vendors.

• Approved the repository sale of 803 E. Patterson St. and 362 W. Kline Ave.

• Reappointed Christopher Ondrus to a four-year term on the planning commission.