2 Owen J. Roberts School Board members facing charges in separate incidents

Two recently reelected members of the Owen J. Roberts School Board are facing court dates after being charged in two separate incidents in the last three months. Both ran and won on the Democratic ballot line in November.

Nicholas Rotoli, 72, was charged with disorderly conduct by Uwchlan Township Police on Oct. 30, 2023.

Tuesday’s snowstorm closed courts and delayed a scheduled summary trial before District Judge N. Paige Simmons. No new trial date was immediately available.

Rotoli declined a request for comment and referred all questions to his attorney, Curt Norcini, who after 24 hours had not responded to a MediaNews Group query.

The details of Rotoli’s case were not immediately available, but the definition of the charges included on the court docket sheeting indicates Rotoli is charged with having physical contact with someone.

More recently, Warren Chester was charged on Jan. 11 by Spring City Police with DUI, driving at an unsafe speed, careless driving and reckless driving. He has a court date in front of District Judge John Hipple on Feb. 1.

According to court records, a Spring City police officer was in his car on East Bridge Street at about 1:50 a.m. when he observed a Nissan Pathfinder pass him going faster than the 25 mph speed limit.

Following and keeping up with the Pathfinder required the police car to drive at 70 mph, the officer wrote, adding that he observed Chester’s Pathfinder cross the double yellow line twice. Chester’s Pathfinder pulled into a Citgo at the corner of Bridge Street and Route 724 and the officer activated his lights as Chester’s car pulled up to a gas pump, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

As he approached, the officer wrote that he could smell alcohol on Chester’s breath, but court records indicate Chester refused a field sobriety test and a Breathalyzer. Chester was arrested and charged with DUI and, according to the affidavit, said “It’s my birthday and I only had two light beers” while seated in the back of the police car.

Chester did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Asked for comment on behalf of the school board, President Rita Pederson replied “The board remains focused on student academic achievement and well-being and hopes for a quick resolution to these matters.”

Source: Berkshire mont