Rochester Citizens Say Council Violating Sunshine Act

Borough Solicitor Bernard Rabik (right) scolds a citizen for attempting to speak.

A group of attendees at last night’s Rochester Borough Council Meeting stormed from the building saying they could no longer tolerate how the session was being conducted.

“I couldn’t hear anything” said Tony Perricelli “They were all up on that stage mumbling to each other and I couldn’t hear a word of it. Not a word of it.”

It was a sentiment expressed by most others in attendance.

“If you’re going to invite the public then we should be able to hear what’s going on” said Gina Mengel, a life-long resident of Rochester.

“I don’t even know what they were talking about up there, because I couldn’t hear any of it” said Pauline Gaffney “They should each have a microphone and they should have proper speakers.”

Residents say the problem has been going on for months. Before the meeting began, Councilman Harvey appeared to acknowledge the issue by complaining about a citizen who regularly attends “All she does here is bitch about not being able to hear [...] She should sit closer or just go home” he said.

The Beaver Countian was seated in the front row for the meeting and likewise struggled to hear what was taking place — Much of what was said being completely unintelligible.

Not only could the citizens in attendance not hear what council members were saying, they were also largely prohibited from saying anything themselves. Last night’s meeting was advertised as a “Work Session”, which generally precludes council from taking official actions. Such votes should occur during “Regular Meetings”, at which residents of the community must by law be given the opportunity to make public comment.

Attendee Maria Longo objected to actions taking place during the meeting, telling the Borough Solicitor Bernard Rabik that council was in violation of the Sunshine Act. “I don’t skirt the law” a visibly flustered Rabik shot back.

Rabik later admonished council members, who had already voted to approve dozens of bills along with financial reports, that official actions shouldn’t be taking place at the work session. A short time later, council members voted to approve the purchase of a police cruiser, although residents were offered an opportunity to make comment before that particular vote was cast.

Later in the meeting, Rochester Council discussed the need to appoint a Right To Know Officer as required by law — A move prompted by a request sent from a citizen who was in attendance at last night’s meeting. The Beaver Countian sent 2 right-to-know requests to the Borough earlier this year, both of which went unanswered.

Under state law, a member of any borough council who knowingly violates the Sunshine Act can be charged with a summary offense.