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By Jill Brown

The Monessen Council meeting held on Sept. 28, 2015 at 7 p.m. pertained to the voting on the sale of the buildings in Monessen, discussed at last month’s meeting. Tejas Gosai was in attendance to deliver a presentation, and there was some concern about proceeding with the building sale to Dr. Martin Dudas without a plan.

Dr. Dudas’s bid was accepted on 100 Third St. at the old City Hall building. Council finalized a sales agreement for the building in the amount of $16,120. Solicitor Gary Matta will handle the closing.

Tejas Gosai, purchasing Eastgate 11 and Municipal Complex buildings with his father, said, “We knew it would take some time. Everything is still moving forward. My dad is not going to wait. We’re in a position to do this; I just don’t want to wait until next year.” Gosai’s father is Dr. Kamlesh Gosai, business partner.

Mayor Lou Mavrakis: “I make a motion that we sell the building to the Gosais.”

Councilman John Nestor: “I want to table this because I have a feeling it’s going to be 2-2 or a stale-mate.” Councilman Josh Retos was absent.

Councilwoman Lucille D’Alfonso: “The sale of this building affects so many ramifications.”

Mayor Mavrakis: “Is this Council in agreement that we will have a decision for Tejas at the next Council meeting?”

Council members voted in approval, and everyone was satisfied with the decision.

The Mayor had spoken to the audience, saying, “You’ve got to be accountable for every Council meeting, and be here.”

In Public Forum, a Monessen resident living on 212 Rostraver St. said that her home is actually moving because of a nearby wall. Poles are holding her property upright now, and she has been waiting since June for someone to do something.

Councilwoman Lucille D’Alfonso said, “It’s not going to be a simple matter to take care of. I will talk to the engineer tomorrow.”

The resident continued, “What else is there to discuss? We love our house. We don’t want to move. We need somebody to help.”

Council again agreed to meet with an engineer to discuss the matter.

Mayor Mavrakis stated, “With all the problems we have, we could be talking about it. We’re in serious debt-The only way this city is going to get out is with an influx of millions of dollars here. We need to work together. We have an investor, and all we can do is fight.”

A resident called out, “In public, you have to be a unified force. It starts with leadership.”

In other business, Council approved payment to Joseph’s Nursery & Garden Center for $7,700 for Motheral Park, to be paid by Community Foundation Grant.

Motion was made by John Nestor, Dept. of Public Safety to approve payment to Ritenour & Sons Construction Co. for $28,350 for the 2015 Demo and Site Clearance—Phase 1, to be paid by Westmoreland County. Council approved.

With an agreement to come back next month to hear the voting, the meeting was adjourned.

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