First Posted: 3/25/2015
PITTSTON TWP. — Police and public safety were the main topics of discussion during Monday’s rescheduled regular monthly board of supervisors meeting.
Although the matter did not directly come up during the meeting, township officials were able to comment on some of the allegations made in a lawsuit against supervisors, Stephen Rinaldi and Joseph Adams, as well as township manager John Bonita and the former municipal police chief, Robert Avviasto.
Sgt. Lena Angelella claims that the township officials and former chief of police sexually discriminated against her in conspiring to force her out of the police department.
Amongst the details of her allegations, she claims that her pay was abruptly stopped while she was on a medical leave of absence caused by severe anxiety, and that Bonita once withheld a paycheck owed to her as a means to gain her attention.
Rinaldi declined to comment on her allegation of a pay stoppage. “We don’t discuss police matters at the meeting,” he said.
Bonita however did offer an emphatic denial of the allegation that he withheld any paycheck in order to get Angelella’s attention.
In a related matter, the board accepted the resignation of police officer Stephan Wengen.
Angelella has also alleged that Wengen once hit her with the door of a police vehicle. Angelella claims that Wengen was not reprimanded and was later promoted.
Township officials stated that Wengen resigned to accept a full-time position with the Wilkes-Barre police department.
In other matters, Bonita announced Pittston Township’s decision to be included in a feasibility study to form a regional Greater Pittston Area police force that would include Dupont, Hughestown, Jenkins and Yatesville.
Bonita acknowledged that the study is in its “infancy stages,” but shared his belief that, “the dollar amounts look very favorable for us as well as the other towns involved.”
Under current projections, Jenkins would shoulder about 30 percent of the department’s roughly $1.3 million expected annual budget; Dupont would contribute 20 percent; Hughestown would be responsible for around 12 percent; with Yatesville giving 7 percent leaving Pittston Township to fund the remaining approximate 29 percent.
Rinaldi added his estimate that under a regional police arrangement, Pittston Township could ultimately save around $100,000 annually in comparison to what is now spent.
Also on Monday, the board expressed their support for a new Pittston Township Crime Watch. The first meeting will be held at the township municipal building 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.
Several years ago, the township attempted to have a crime watch but it ultimately folded due to lack of involvement after several meetings.
The next Pittston Township regular board of supervisors meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, April 20.
