Emsworth Council now will fund the borough’s portion of the 2010 Avonworth Community Park bud-get after a park official explained bonuses given to two employees.

Emsworth is just one of five municipalities that help fund the park with tax dollars. The others are Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Kilbuck and Ohio Township.

Emsworth Council voted at its regular meeting in February to withhold approval of the park's 2010 budget because of questions about $5,000 in year-end bonuses given to employees. A $500 payment to a member of the authority board, which runs the park, also was in question. Some Emsworth officials wanted to see the documentation regarding the bonuses before allocating more tax dollars to the park.

Ed Gould, who as of January is the chairman of the authority board, told Emsworth officials on Wednesday that the board felt that the best way to show appreciation for the park's two employees - Megan Galbraith and Jennifer Heflin - was in the form of performance bonuses, which Gould said is not new.

Gould said that in the nine years he has been involved with the board, it has authorized bonuses for employees in past years.

Gould also said that the two employees have not had any type of salary increase in more than two years, but have assumed more responsibilities. He said that the two have performed exceptionally.

"These two are fabulous," Gould said, adding that last year the board did not receive a single negative complaint about the operation of the park.

Gould said that the park reviewed the issue with its solicitor, who determined that the park was able to issue the bonuses.

Council member David Heflin said that an agreement signed in 2007 by the board and the supporting municipalities gave the board management powers, allowing for "operational decision-making" by the board.

The documentation that officials wanted to see, Gould said, was part of the employees’ personnel files, which he said are not open to the public.

Gould said that the issue with the $500 donation began last year, when Camp Horne Road was being milled. Gould said that the project was not planned, but the opportunity presented itself for millings to be spread at the park's parking lot.

Gould said that the park had a short timeframe to get the work done because it was close to Labor Day, and a number of events are held at the park at that time. He said that an authority board member volunteered to complete the work, using his own equipment
as well as equipment he rented.

Gould said that the board felt it should cover the equipment rental expenses, but said that no bill for the volunteer’s time or the equipment was ever submitted.

Council member Paul Getz said that when the time comes for the borough to make its contribution to the park, the borough will support its share of the budget.

Council president Maria West was absent.