That's a wrap: Wheatland Borough Council meets for final time

David L. Dye, The Herald, Sharon, Pa.
Updated ·3 min read

Dec. 12—WHEATLAND — In what officials described as a bittersweet occasion, Wheatland Borough Council held its final meeting Tuesday evening — before the borough merges into Hermitage on Jan. 1.

Although the meeting only lasted about 10 minutes, drawing a few jokes from council members regarding the meeting's short length compared to previous council meetings, the audience was full of Hermitage officials who came to commemorate the occasion.

Duane Piccirilli, president of the Hermitage board of commissioners, thanked Wheatland officials for their service to the borough, as well as their friendship and kindness leading up to the merger.

"We're proud to have you," Piccirilli told the officials.

The representatives from Hermitage also presented Wheatland's council members and Mayor Ron Viglio with gifts from Wendell August Forge, recognizing them for their service.

Viglio, who served Wheatland as mayor for six years and eight years as a council member, said he enjoyed working with the council members over the years and preparing for the merger, which Viglio described as beneficial to both Wheatland and Hermitage.

"It's been an honor to be the mayor of this town and to work with you," Viglio told the council.

Borough council President Patricia Lewis credited Viglio for his work throughout the merger process.

"I don't think we could have had a better mayor for this," Lewis said.

Council member Michael Niddel likewise thanked the mayor and fellow council members for their service, adding that he enjoyed his six years on council and working with his fellow representatives.

Borough council's members did have some final business matters to attend to, including approval of a second donation of $3,500 to the Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department and the relinquishing of all bank accounts to Hermitage effective Jan. 1.

However, the borough tax collector's account will remain in place for 2024 for auditing purposes.

The council members' votes were unanimous. Council Vice President Darla Marchant was absent.

Borough council also appointed George Ashby, Myron Jones and Terry Thompson to five-year terms on the Wheatland Conservation Authority, which Hermitage solicitor Brett Stedman said would continue to exist post-merger.

Ashby, a borough council member and president of the authority, said the Wheatland Conservation Authority was started in the early 2000s under the late Wheatland Mayor Thomas Stanton.

The authority owns three properties throughout Wheatland, including a parcel between the Shenango River and the Joshen Paper of Pennsylvania property.

Ashby said there have been some discussions between the authority, the Shenango River Watchers and the City of Hermitage regarding the possible development of a boat and kayak launch on that parcel along the river.

After the meeting concluded, officials from Wheatland and Hermitage gathered in the Esther H. Viglio Social Hall in the borough building for a catered dinner to close out the evening.

Hermitage officials previously said the social hall is expected to remain available for renting throughout 2024.

Viglio said the building's collection of historical memorabilia — from newspaper articles regarding the 1985 tornado to photographs of past Wheatland representatives and organizations — will also be preserved, with potential options including a new display case or donating some items to the Mercer County Historical Society.

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