PITTSTON — Mayor Michael Lombardo took the time at a council meeting Wednesday to recognize former Pittston mayor Joe Keating who died Monday.
“I’d like to (acknowledge) his public service as a volunteer, as an employee of the city in various other elected spaces within the city and the school district,” Lombardo said. “I think Joe was a great citizen and a great leader in this community.”
Keating died due to complications from bladder cancer. He served as city mayor from 2006 to 2009, was the city fire chief for 10 years, and served on the Pittston Area School Board.
In other business, the council reappointed several city officials to their respective positions:
• Brian Matyjevich to the parks and recreation advisory commission.
• Samuel Scarantino to the planning commission.
• Anthony Guarglia as an alternate to the zoning hearing board.
• Patricia Finley to the housing authority.
• Dr. Vincent Argenio to the board of health.
• Pastor Samuel Washington as chairman of the city’s human relations commission.
The council also appointed Lombardo to the non-uniform pension board, the police pension board and the firemen’s pension board to replace former Mayor Jason Klush.
Lithuanian Independence Day
Also during the meeting, the council approved a motion to proclaim Friday, Feb. 16, as Lithuanian Independence Day. Leaders there proclaimed an independent state on Feb. 16, 1918. A special ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 16 in the John P. Cosgrove Center at the Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad St.
In addition, members of the council approved a bid of $467,764 to Rutledge Excavating, of Tyler Hill, for the Pittston Library Amphitheatre Project set to begin in the spring.
