Levittown-Area Municipalities Swear In Officials, Reorganize

Local municipalities across the area held required annual reorganization meetings Monday evening.

In Bristol Borough, Frank Peranteau took the oath of office as mayor and was sworn in by District Judge David Chichilitti, who just took office himself.

Peranteau, who previously served as the borough’s police chief and district judge, vowed to remain accessible to the community.

“I will be there for you,” Peranteau told residents, noting he intends to hold regular conversations with the public.

The mayor’s first minutes in officer included a public disagreement with police Chief Joe Moors.

Peranteau criticized the chief for wearing a blue uniform shirt rather than the white shirt the mayor had requested.

Under Pennsylvania law, mayors are responsible for overseeing borough police departments.

Bristol Borough Council also seated reelected members Betty Rodriguez, of the West Ward; Lorraine Cullen, of the East Ward; Ralph DiGuiseppe, of the South Ward; and Maria Figueroa, of the North Ward.

Tax collector Anna Bono Larrisey was also sworn in for a new term.

The council reappointed DiGuiseppe as president and Rodriguez as vice president.

Jeffrey Garton of Begley, Carlin and Mandio was reappointed to serve as solicitor and Gilmore and Associates as the borough engineer.

District Judge Kevin Wagner swore in Bristol Township Council members Craig Bowen, Cindy Murphy, Ray Blalock, and Marcia Dunlap for new terms.

The council voted for Bowen to remain president and Murphy as vice president.

Flager and Associates was reappointed as the township’s counsel, while Gilmore and Associates will continue as the township’s engineering firm.

In Falls Township, Tim Loteckie was sworn in by District Judge John Galloway.

Loteckie, a 20-year resident and local youth sports leader, fills the seat vacated by Jeff Boraski.

“The Loteckie era begins,” said Supervisor Chairperson Jeff Dence.

Additional oaths were administered to auditor Sean Murphy and tax collector Kim Scarpiello.

The supervisors reappointed Dence as chairman for his seventh consecutive year and Erin Mullen as vice chairperson for her third.

The supervisors named former Supervisor Jeff Rocco as the vacancy board chairman.

Professional appointments included Michael Clarke of Clarke, Gallagher, Barbiero, Amuso & Glassman Law as solicitor and Jones Engineering Associates as township engineer.

The supervisors announced a 6 p.m. meeting schedule for the second Tuesday and fourth Monday of each month, with an adjusted single meeting on Jan. 26 and a modified May schedule due to Memorial Day.

New Middletown Township supervisors Ryan Leighton and Christian Gallardo joined the board after being sworn in by District Judge Daniel Baranoski.

The reorganization brought a change in leadership as Bernadette Hannah was named chairperson and Leighton was named vice chairperson. Supervisor Mike Ksiazek previously held the top post.

Other officials sworn in included tax collector Ray Chapman and auditor David Tilli.

The supervisors reappointed Curtin and Heefner as solicitor and Remington and Vernick Engineers as the township engineer.