Frank Paterra has reclaimed his seat in Charleroi council chambers.

During an agenda meeting Wednesday, Paterra, a former mayor in the borough, was unanimously selected to fill a vacancy left by former councilwoman Jeannine Motycki last month.

He was one of two people to submit a letter of interest for the open seat, though the other candidate was not a resident of the borough and therefore not eligible to apply.

His nomination and acceptance was met with a standing ovation and round of applause from council members and others in the audience, as he is on the mend after struggling with health problems for the past several months that forced him to give up his own seat in January.

Before Charleroi Council’s reorganization meeting in January, Paterra submitted his letter of resignation to council citing health concerns.

His seat was filed by current Councilwoman Cathy Diess. Paterra’s new term will run through Jan. 2, 2024, and he is ready to get back to work for the borough.

Paterra served one four-year term as mayor starting in 2006. He was first appointed to council in 2016.

“I’m just so happy to be here,” Paterra said before being sworn in Wednesday by Mayor Greg Doerfler.

He rejoined his fellow council members for the remainder of the agenda meeting, where council discussed several issues including street signs, upcoming events, finances and new policies in the works.

Paterra explained why he left several months ago, and what led him back to serving his community as an elected official.

“In November I went to the VA hospital and I was there for several months,” he said. “I had COVID-19 twice and pneumonia three times. I

CHARLEROI • A2 FROM A1 thought then it was best for me to step aside and focus on my health, but I have been getting better, feeling better and I am home and walking around.

“I’m very thankful for all of the prayers and well wishes and am very happy to be back.”

When his heath started to take a turn for the better, and he learned of a new vacancy, he thought it only right that he submit a letter of interest to finish the job he was elected to do.

“When I saw there was a vacancy I thought it was my responsibility to the people who elected me to see my term through now that I am in better health,” he said. “I feel healthy and strong and ready to continue to make progress here in the borough.”

While council members are happy to have him back, the lack of interest in the open seat prompted a new discussion by Councilman Larry Celaschi. That same topic was brought up by Councilman Jerry Jericho in June 2020.

“I pulled the minutes of that meeting to have clarity on this, but a motion was made (by Jerry Jericho) and seconded by Jody Cheplic to downsize the number of council members from seven to five due to declining population. I would like to revisit that,” Celaschi said.

The motion was approved by the former council to explore the matter, but no further decisions were ever made.

“We had one applicant for the vacancy,” Celaschi said. “Well, two but one did not live in Charleroi. That is probably why Councilman Jericho brought that up in the first place and I think we should take some time to look at that.”

Borough Manager Matt Staniszewski said the borough can look further into the matter and options could be brought before council for discussion before a vote would be taken to make a change.

“It’s something we can look into and discuss,” President Paul Pivovarnik said.

In other business, council discussed potentially making a portion of 10th Street from McKean Avenue a one-way street because of an increase in accidents; upcoming fall activities including a haunted house and Trick-or-Treat (dates have yet to be voted on); a contribution to the American Legion’s Veterans Day Parade with a date and details to be determined; and work on the upcoming budget for 2023.