By Lois Thomson

Ben Avon Mayor Bob Jones' lunch with Ben Avon Heights officials caused a bit of a stir at the borough's council meeting Tuesday.

Joined by Ben Avon Council President Lloyd Corder, Jones picked up the tab for a business luncheon with Ben Avon Heights Mayor Scott Dismukes and council president Mark Davis, at a cost of $59.07.

When Jones asked council for reimbursement, finance chair Judy Konitsney said the borough has never paid for a business luncheon, and added, "We have a borough hall if you want to hold a meeting."

Jones said he and his wife have donated money to the borough in the past, including more than $400 for new Christmas decorations, so he does not need the money, but would like to be reimbursed as a matter of principle.

Following his request, council member Rob Galbraith said his wife would like to be compensated for supplies she used for the painting hanging in the lobby of the borough building. He said she donated the painting, which is worth upwards of $1,000, but would like payment for the supplies, which cost a couple of hundred dollars.

Council member Sue Weiss spoke up, saying council has some new members and these are new types of requests.

"We've never had ones like this before, we've never operated out of that model. It's difficult for me to know how to vote when I'm spending taxpayers’ money." She added, "I'm not trying to stiff anyone, but it makes me uncomfortable to receive requests after the fact."

Corder pointed out that as a result of the meeting with Ben Avon Heights, approximately $2,500 would be coming into the borough: about $1,000 would be for use of the Bookmobile, and $1,500 would be to help fund part of a one-call notification system. Ben Avon Heights' council approved both boroughs working together on an emergency management plan, and agreed to help cover the expense of the system, Corder said.

Galbraith rescinded his request, but council voted 5-2 in favor of reimbursing the mayor, with Konitsney and R.J. White opposed. But council stipulated that in the future, such requests should be brought before council prior to the event.

Following the vote, Jones said he wanted to donate the money to the fund to pay Galbraith's wife for the painting supplies.