Leetsdale police officer suspended, borough officials mum

A Leetsdale police office is suspended and another resigned.

The officer’s suspension was unanimously approved at this week’s council meeting.

Council President Patricia Lee and police Chief Daniel Raible said they could not comment on personnel matters.

Other council members also declined comment.

Borough solicitor Daniel Conlon would only confirm the suspended officer is a full-time employee. He would not say if the officer was on paid or unpaid leave or the length of the suspension.

“We did everything properly,” Conlon said. “His due process rights have been protected.”

The police department has five full-time officers, including Raible, and one part-time officer.

Council also accepted the resignation of full-time officer Terry Gensel. His last day is Jan. 31.

Raible said Gensel was leaving to take a job in Robinson.

Other business

• Council will seek bids for paving projects, including the borough building and Henle Park parking areas; David Avenue; and milling/repaving trenches for the Edgeworth Water Authority and Leetsdale Sewage Authority projects.

Borough engineer Daniel Slagle said the authorities would reimburse the borough for their portions of the paving.

Work is expected to be done sometime this spring or summer.

• Council accepted the resignations of Kristen and Sean O’Kelley from the parks and recreation board. Their terms were set to expire at the end of next year.

• Borough secretary/treasurer Jennifer Simek was reappointed as the local tax collector for this year.

• Council also approved a three-year agreement for audits by certified public accountant Case Sabatini.

Borough officials declined to disclose the cost of the annual payments. The Tribune-Review filed a Right-to-Know request for that information after the meeting.