By a vote of 712 to 710, Pittston voters rejected a referendum in the Nov. 4 election to change the treasurer/tax collector job from an elected position to an appointed department director.
Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo said Tuesday he will check to see if a recount is feasible. Another option is to try to pass the same ballot question again in two years, Lombardo said.
Gene Molino, solicitor for the Luzerne County election bureau, said he believes all deadlines to file for a recount have passed.
The proposed change was a move to professionalize city government and ensure the city maintains its strong credit rating, Lombardo said. If approved by voters, the proposed change to Pittston’s home rule charter would have take effect when the current term of office for the treasurer expires on Dec. 31, 2027.
Chris Latona was elected to a four-year term as treasurer in 2023 and passed away in March at 96. RoseMary Frati was appointed to serve as treasurer and won a two-year term as treasurer in a special election on Nov. 4 as a write-in candidate.
Tony Guariglia won a two-year term on Pittston City Council in a special election as a write-in candidate. City council appointed Guaraglia to fill the council seat left vacant after Councilman Samuel “Danny” Argo’s death in July.
Lombardo wanted Frati and Guaraglia to be on the Nov. 4 ballot, but city and Democratic Party officials didn’t notify the county election bureau of that before the ballot was finalized in September. Lombardo said focusing on the write-in campaigns may have hurt the campaign for the ballot question.
Pittston’s home rule charter was adopted by voters in November 2012 and took effect on Jan. 2, 2013.