web1_D4Cam012.jpg

Traffic report for July 8

web1_TTL070815PTNanLL_2.jpg

Pittston Township advances with win over Nanticoke

<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By B. Garret Rogan</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_LenGalli_011.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Galli </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_LenGalli_011.jpg</photo0><caption0>Galli </caption0></div></div>
<p>EXETER &#8212; Legal battles facing Exeter borough&#8217;s police and volunteer fire department dominated much of the discussion during Tuesday&#8217;s regular council meeting.</p><p>Joseph Rudolf, an attorney representing Exeter in arbitration as the borough attempts to terminate officer Leonard Galli, addressed the public regarding the arbitration process.</p><p>According to Rudolf, the final day of testimony will most likely wrap up Wednesday, July 8. Following the testimony of Galli, a briefing schedule will be set and the arbitrator will have 40 days to reach a decision. Both sides will have the option to appeal the matter to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.</p><p>Galli allegedly was found to be using his borough computer to view pornographic images, arrange sexual encounters and conduct personal business while on duty. Since the move to terminate him however, the debate has turned to whether the legal costs of arbitration are worth his removal.</p><p>Borough resident Joanne Shiner pointed out that Galli, in his professional capacity as a police officer, has been the subject of seven lawsuits prior to the incident that ultimately prompted the borough to seek his termination.</p><p>Others argued that the borough wasted money paying Galli&#8217;s salary while he was conducting personal affairs instead of fulfilling his duties as a police officer.</p><p>Exact figures for the costs of those lawsuits and the current arbitration were not mentioned during the meeting and were not available immediately following the meeting.</p><p><strong>Fire department</strong></p><p>Residents and council members also were addressed by Donald Skursky, chief of the Exeter Volunteer Fire Department.</p><p>Skursky, originally served as chief from 1993 through 2000 before returning in June following the announcement of an investigation into the department over allegations of theft.</p><p>He vouched for the department&#8217;s line officers and shot down rumors that the department would be incorporated into those of Wyoming or Hughestown.</p><p>He went on to announce that the department is $20,000 in debt. He asked that the borough end its practice of contributing $10,400 to the fire department to cover utilities in favor of simply directly paying the department&#8217;s utilities. He also requested that the borough, which currently pays to have the fire engines insured, also pay the insurance costs for the fire truck designated for brush fires.</p><p>Next for Exeter: regular borough council meeting, 7 p.m. Aug. 10.</p><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach the newsroom at 570-829-7242.</shirttailMeta></div>

Exeter fire, police battles dominate borough meeting