Editor:
I would like to clarify the record regarding Jerry Boughton’s Jan. 28 letter (“Former borough council leaves Mohnton a mess”) along with news stories in the Jan. 7 and Jan. 14 editions of the Reading Eagle,
No outgoing Mohnton council members nor the former borough secretary tampered with any part of borough hall or its computer system. No locks needed to be drilled to enter the building, and everything was left in perfect order. In anticipation of just the sort of accusations that we have faced, the new council was left a clear, readily accessible road map of how to run the borough. All outgoing officials who were contacted by state police cooperated fully, and troopers closed their investigation without charging anyone with wrongdoing. Additional information was provided to clear up the apparent confusion.
The current council peddled misinformation to get elected and continues to do so. Projects executed last year were done with previously earmarked funds. Now council is discussing an outrageous tax increase, justifying it by listing expenses that were already paid in 2021 as due this year. The borough was left with no debt whatsoever and hundreds of thousands of dollars in reserve. Few small boroughs can boast that.
Residents should demand answers from council as to why previously paid expenses are being used to justify an unnecessary and cruel tax increase on struggling residents. Council is either hiding something, is incompetent, or both.
Also, readers should be aware that letter writer Boughton was appointed to the civil-service commission by the new council.
Michael De Feo
Former president, Mohnton Borough Council
Source: Berkshire mont