Arrest of officers discussed

WEST WYOMING -- Council president Eileen Cipriani addressed a packed audience at Monday's meeting about the arrests of police Chief Stanley Sipko and former Chief David Gashi.

The two were arrested on July 20 in connection with thefts from the borough payroll system.

"Although this may seem like a new episode of illegal activity in the borough, it is actually the closing of a corrupt chapter in our borough's history," she said.

In related business, council voted to appoint Cipriani to lead the employment investigation of Sipko.

In another matter, a number of residents spoke against the proposed construction of a UGI natural gas compressor station to be located on the border of West Wyoming and Kingston Township.

"None of us (on council) want it up there," Councilman Len Tarreto said. "We'll do everything in our power to keep it out of there."

Council urged everyone to voice their opposition at a Luzerne County zoning hearing scheduled for Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. in the courthouse.

Cipriani said council has indicated its opposition to the proposed project on its Facebook page, the borough's website and in newspaper articles.

"Trust us," she said, "council has made a statement opposing it."