Mary Lashway named borough tax collector / By Martha Knight

The Port Allegany Borough Council went behind closed doors Tuesday night to choose between two applicants for the post of tax collector.

Mary Lashway was chosen in a formal vote after the council went back into public session. In the course of the nearly hour-long executive session, both Lashway and Nicole Roche, the other applicant, were summoned into the council chamber separately for brief interviews.

Both candidates had submitted resumes.

Council member David Fair told the applicants that it had been a very difficult choice, because both applicants are exceptionally well qualified.

The appointment was necessary because longtime tax collector Pat Payne had resigned.

Another matter discussed in the closed session was the status of negotiations with police chief Dave Distrola concerning his new contract. Currently he is working without a contract, his most recent agreement with the borough having expired December 31, 2013. Johnson said the contract with Distrola is “informally extended.” Negotiations are being handled by the Personnel Committee, headed by Sam Dynda.

It was mentioned that there are two vacancies on the borough civil service commission, and it is urgent that they be filled because there are rule revisions and other updates that need to be addressed.

Borough residents interested in serving on the commission are asked to contact Johnson or another council member or the borough office for more information.