Salary questioned in Schuylkill Twp.
Schuylkill Township supervisor Charlie Hosler last week questioned roadmaster Charles Fayash's salary.
Hosler compared two first quarters in two different years.He explained that the road maintenance wages for the first quarter up to March 31 in 2015 was $9,361, and in 2016 was $17,685.15.This year the township spent $23,391.48 so far.He said ever since Fayash has been the roadmaster, the township has more than doubled their maintenance expenses just on payroll.He accused Fayash of not being able to stay home, and wanting to go out all the time.Hosler pointed out that the roadmaster's salary in the first quarter of 2016 was $6,820, and in the first quarter of 2017 was $10,852.Hosler complained that the roadmaster was supposed to only supervise the township's full-time maintenance worker, not do all the work himself, and that there was only one full-time employee, not two.Fayash said, "One guy can't go around and maintain the whole township."Hosler disagreed and rebutted that it was the way it has been, but Fayash said, "Apparently when you were roadmaster, all the things that we fixed, and all the things that we dug out, and all the things that we did were either neglected because nobody was there doing them, you weren't telling him to do them, or you weren't going around to help him do them. Pipes were blocked, and there is a lot to do."Hosler continued to find fault with Fayash for having two people riding on the truck to get parts and materials when he finds it unnecessary.Fayash said he had a discussion with Frank Fabrizio regarding cutting his hours back to 30, but that snowstorms were the only exception.Hosler said that Fayash shouldn't be working 30 hours a week because it wasn't a full-time position, but Fayash said that it would be necessary during a storm.Hosler said that the other two supervisors can drive the truck, and that he should call them when needed as to not exceed his hours.In the public comment, John Zubris put Hosler on the spot, questioning him about his performance at the sewer authority, and accused him of burning pumps up, bending plows, not shutting the heat off in the garages, and ceilings coming down.Zubris was indignant about Hosler trying to tell Fayash what he could and could not do. He also asked Hosler when his time was up, and Hosler told him it would be this December, but that he should be getting his facts straight.Zubris also questioned Hosler regarding the price paid for the backhoe he purchased, and how many times it has been used.Hosler answered that it was purchased for $16,000 and only used twice. Zubris emphasized that the backhoe wasn't really needed by the taxpayers then, and Fayash agreed that it sounded like a waste of money, but Hosler said it was needed to lift the pumps that weigh 1,100 pounds.Erin Donley commended the township for the great work done during snowstorm Stella and made contrast with the streets in Tamaqua which were in so much worse shape with more personnel than Schuylkill Township, and how she was very thankful for their superb performance.Mary Van Pelt wanted to thank all the people who work on their streets, and that she feels that there should be more acknowledging of the good they do rather than the fault finding that seems to be displayed, as it seems that the supervisors don't know how to compliment people for the betterment of the township that they are achieving.She also spoke on behalf of her husband who couldn't be there, to convey his pleasure with the work that is being done in the township. Furthermore, she pleaded that for future meetings all supervisors behave more professionally and not abuse the audience. Hosler interjected that it should be both ways.Zubris repliedthat if he was a little bit younger he would take Hosler behind the shed.Chief DiMarco interjected at that point and yelled, "enough!"Zubris said it wasn't a threat, and Fayash adjourned the meeting.