Hazleton Council Rejects Mayor’s Transfer Plan To Make Payroll

HAZLETON — Hazleton city council voted down a resolution Tuesday that would have enabled Mayor Jeff Cusat to borrow money from the city’s pension fund account and transfer it to the general fund. The transfer, Cusat said, would prevent the city from missing the next payroll for employees. Council members Grace Cuozzo, David Sosar and Jean Mope questioned the mayor’s reasoning in putting the short-term loan before council because it was predicated on a long-term Act 47 loan the city would be eligible for if it’s deemed to be “distressed” by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Although Cusat did apply to be deemed a “distressed city” under Act 47, that status has not yet been granted to the city, some on council pointed out. Councilman Bobby Gavio, who along with Jackie Mundie voted in favor of the short-term loan, said missing a payroll was not acceptable to him and should not be acceptable for the city. “We can’t miss a payroll,” said Gavio.