With Bellevue Council member Mark Panichella absent, Mayor George Doscher had to break a tie vote to authorize the borough to pay its bills.

Four members of council -- Linda Woshner, Jane Braunlich, and Jim and Susan Viscusi -- have been voting against payment of the bills since January because the bill list includes payment to solicitor Tom McDermott.

A lame duck council appointed McDermott last December, something prior solicitor Michael Georgalas warned was illegal and could result in individual council members being assessed for any borough funds spent to pay the new solicitor.

The current council has never voted to appoint McDermott.