DuBois City Council delays official termination of Suplizio employment

DUBOIS — DuBois City Council approved a motion Monday to delay the termination of suspended City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio.

Councilwoman Diane Bernardo, who attended the meeting via phone, made a motion to “reluctantly” terminate Suplizio’s employment with the City. Councilman Pat Reasinger stated that Suplizio could collect his entire pension upon his immediate termination. Mayor Ed Walsh joined Reasinger in voting no on the motion, citing a need for third party legal advisement to determine what options were available to both Suplizio and the City in the event of termination.

Mayor Walsh confirmed the motion

Councilwoman Diane Bernardo and Councilman Shane Dietz voted yes on the motion while Councilman Jim Aughenbaugh abstained.

City Council Members, Solicitor Subpoenaed with Former City Manager

Mayor Ed Walsh, City Solicitor Toni Cherry, and Council members Diane Bernardo, Jim Aughenbaugh, and Shane Dietz were subpoenaed on Monday and will be called to answer questions regarding former City Manager Herm Suplizio. 

This comes after an emergency injunction requested by three City of DuBois residents was granted by Clearfield County Judge Frederic Ammerman. The injunction prohibits the Mayor and members of the current Council from making any further payments to or agreements with Suplizio until further notice.

Suplizio remains suspended as the investigation continues. The formal hearing 9:00 am on Wednesday morning at the Clearfield County courthouse.

City Pension Committee Has Not Met Since 2019

Council’s motion to appoint retired city employee Tim Edwards to the City’s Pension Committee was approved during Monday night’s meeting.

The Pension Committee was noted to have last met in late 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interim City Manager Chris Nasuti stated that Council was “working on the pension plan” and that “it was not being ignored.”

Councilman Pat Reasinger added that the plan’s current rates of return would be discussed while Mayor Ed Walsh stated the pension plan’s future was a top priority of the Council.

“If we right the ship now, we’ll be better prepared in the years to come,” Walsh said.

Council approved a meeting of the Pension Committee to be held on Friday, September 8th.

City Fire Department Will Purchase New Truck

The City of DuBois Fire Department will move forward with the purchase of a new $567,000 firetruck.

Chief Mike Federici confirmed the need to replace the City’s current firetruck donated by Goodwill some 30 years ago. He added that the upcoming merger of the City and Sandy Township will not hinder or alter plans for the purchase.

A $400,000 grant was received to aid in the purchase of the firetruck, while the remaining $167,000 will be provided by the Fire Department.

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