Tensions high at Follansbee Council meeting
Trending
FOLLANSBEE -- Tensions were high during the Follansbee Council meeting on Monday, as the topic of the fire chief's responsibilities elicited comments from the public and discussions about the fate of the city manager's contract went into executive session.
Members of the public filled the Follansbee Council Chambers, a sizable amount being representatives of the Follansbee Volunteer Fire Department. Three citizen attendees took a turn speaking, providing praise for the character of Larry Rea, the city's police and fire chief.
Discussion about Rea was scheduled for the council's agenda, following claims from City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo that Rea was not fulfilling his duties as fire chief. Those claims came to a head during a council meeting in April, erupting into a heated exchange between DiBartolomeo and Rea that was quelled by a 10-minute recess.
Rea serves as both the fire chief, a position elected by the fire department's members, and police chief, elected by voters.
One of the public speakers, Jim Piccirillo, spoke positively about Rea and mentioned stories highlighting Rea's loyalty that he said is "unmatched anywhere." Piccirillo said he is bothered by the number of rumors spread in Follansbee, particularly those regarding Rea.
"We're lucky to have (Larry) and have him serve us," Piccirillo said.
Another member of the public said Rea is always the first to respond when a person is in need. Another speaker, the final one, said he did not know what discussions about Rea would consist of, but they should involve the public's input.
The public comments followed newly adopted rules on public requests that Mayor David Velegol Jr. announced at the beginning of the meeting. Velegol said speakers from the public now receive five minutes to make their comments during the public request section, and no follow-up comments will be permitted until after all speakers have had a turn.
Velegol said these changes have been adopted due to previous meetings being plagued with back-and-forth comments that take too long and delay proceedings.
Once the public had spoken, Velegol asked if council desired to enter into an executive session to discuss Rea. A member of the public spoke out, saying if council had something to say about Rea, they it should say it in front of the public and "not behind closed doors."
Concerns among council were raised about people speaking out if discussions were done outside of executive session.
Councilman at large John Casinelli said, "The people have spoken. ... Leave Larry alone."
Fifth Ward Councilwoman Wendy DeAngelis motioned to enter executive session, but no second was made, and no further talk on the matter occurred.
The next hot-button issue regarded the possible renewal of DiBartolomeo's contract. As of the meeting, DiBartolomeo had served a full year as the Follansbee city manager, a position appointed by vote of the council members.
Council entered into an approximately 30-minute executive session to discuss DiBartolomeo's contract. At two points during that time, shouting could be heard through the council chambers' walls.
Velegol later explained the contract discussion background, saying that the previous city manager, Jack McIntosh, had elected to change his yearly salary from $75,000 to $60,000, with $14,000 that he could use as discretionary funds for different projects.
DiBartolomeo is now asking for a salary change from the $60,000 with discretionary funds to $80,000, which Velegol said makes sense considering he does not receive benefits and has been working as the city manager for a year, making him eligible for a raise. That amount, $80,000, is consistent with what McIntosh would have been making by the end of his time as city manager, Velegol said.
"From an economic standpoint," Velegol said, "I think (DiBartolomeo) is doing a good job, and there's things going on that many don't know about."
Those things, Velegol later explained, include working with companies interested in moving into the property next to Walgreen's, as well as plenty of much-needed updates. Velegol said DiBartolomeo has been working on updating the council's personnel policy, which has not been updated for years.
Velegol said DiBartolomeo has updated the city's ordinance handbook to current standards, adding ordinances passed since 1985 that had not yet been included in the book. Also, DiBartolomeo updated previously antiquated building and construction permit rules to the state standard.
Council returned from the executive session and put the salary increase and contract renewal to a vote. Voting yes were Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekiovich, DeAngelis and Frank Pedersen, and voting no were Second Ward Councilman Charles McCoy, First Ward Councilwoman Tammy Johnson and Casinelli. Velegol broke the tie with a yes vote, thereby passing the motion.
"I think Joe is doing a good job, and I think it should've been a 6-0 vote," said Velegol after the meeting. "Joe is taking on a lot of things that have not been changed throughout the years, and when you make change, it's going to upset people -- it's inevitable."
On the other hand, Velegol said some members of council did not support the salary increase because of the difficult financial situation the city has found itself in since the 2022 closing of the Mountain State Carbon coke plant, which caused a loss of about $1 million in revenue.
Casinelli had said during deliberations, "Again, $20,000, with the fact that we're telling people we can't do stuff out there because we don't have any money is going to be a hard nut to crack."
Separately, a citizen who lives on Highland Hills Drive said he would like to see pickeball begin at the area's courts or at least see the courts patched up. Velegol said having the cracks in the court fixed with an acrylic product is on the council's to-do list.
Also, council members agreed to inform DiBartolomeo about their availability to attend governing body orientation meetings. The meetings are meant to showcase how the city runs for council newcomer Pedersen, who was elected in June.