Town Faces Many Changes

MORRISVILLE, Pa. -- As officials in this snakk Bucks County town on the Delaware River grapple with filling a number of key positions – included are police chief, borough manager and council member – matters recently worsened with the surprise resignation of a second council representative.

There have been no official explanations on the departures, but Morrisville’s mayor said the borough was poised to launch “a bright future.”

Third Ward Councilman John Vitarelli Jr. offered no reason for leaving the four-year council seat to which he was elected unopposed last November. His departure was accepted by council this month as it approved advertising for a replacement.

Vitarelli’s exit follows the resignation of Fourth Ward Councilman Robert Perry. He resigned Jan. 9, one week after his swear-in to the post. No explanation for the surprise move was given.

The two unexpected council departures come at a time when the borough not only needs to replace the town’s police chief but its manager. Borough Manager Judith Danko recently resigned after three years in the post. In response, council named Bristol Borough Manager James Dillon as Morrisville’s interim manager. Salary for the position was not revealed.

Danko and others came under questioning when it recently was revealed the borough was paying for her to live in a nearby hotel to avoid a daily three-hour round-trip commute from her home in Lehigh County. She and her family were to move to the Morrisville area.

According to reports, the borough paid $11,373 to a nearby hotel chain for four nights a week since the start of her Morrisville employment. Following Danko’s resignation, Morrisville Mayor Gary Wallace on June 22 said officials were “talking about” a replacement.

Said he: “We will be looking for someone with the leadership skills to continue our progress forward.”

The many changes have included the firing last November of Morrisville Police Chief George McClay. Related to that, council this month approved a $200,000 termination agreement with the former chief.

Mayor Gary Wallace said the many personnel alterations would end positively for the borough.

“With the hire of a new police chief, new mayor and new council members and president, the borough is in a great position and we are moving past any bad press that Morrisville has received in the past and are looking forward to its bright future,” he said.

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