Bethel Park home rule panel questioned
Bethel Park council formed a commission to study the municipality’s Home Rule Charter several months ago, and at the council meeting March 9, a resident questioned the propriety of having nearly half the commission comprised of members of council.
Of the 11-member Home Rule Study Commission, five members also serve on municipal council. Bob Swiech of Monroe Street asked if such a large concentration of elected officials was legal for a panel tasked to study and recommend changes, which would then be voted upon by council.
Councilman Jim McLean, who also serves as chair of the study commission, invited Switch to attend a work session. The commission will next meet at 7 p.m. March 17 in the municipal building’s caucus room.
“I invite you to witness what work we do,” he said. “We are confident the commission we have formed is legal and appropriate. We are doing our work in a very public way and we will continue to do so.”
The commission is examining all aspects of the charter to determine which changes should be made. Most recently, the panel studied a potential change to the chain of command in the municipal police department, which would give oversight authority to the municipal manager. The chief currently reports directly to council.
Any recommendations will be presented to council, which may choose to advance the changes to voter referendum. Voters must approve any change to the charter through a referendum on the primary or general election ballot.
In another matter, Allegheny County recognized Bethel Park Police Officer Tom Rigatti for his community outreach efforts. Sue Means, Bethel Park’s representative to county council, presented the resolution for Rigatti’s work with the municipality’s crime prevention programs, Police Pals scholarship fund and police education for both children and adults.
Rigatti was 8-year-old Joey Fabus’ partner for the day when he became an honorary police officer while he battled an inoperative brain tumor. Joey died in January and Rigatti organized the police honors for his funeral.
Council also bid farewell to its acting police chief, David Rogan, who plans to retire at the end of the month. Council hired Tim O’Connor, formerly a police commander for Pittsburgh Police, to replace him.
Rogan served Bethel Park Police in various capacities for 28 years. He has been acting chief since John Mackey retired in October.
“It has been a great career. A lot of great memories, some sad memories, but a lot of great ones,” Rogan said.
The police department has two vacancies for lieutenants and several officers plan to retire soon as well.