Attorney Says He Will Not Charge Borough For Extra Hours

told the mayor and council Tuesday that he will not be charging the borough for hours spent on work after the 250 hours specified for general municipal work in his contract. Semeraro said he anticipates working about 100 hours over the 250 hours by the end of the year, which previously would have been charged at $150 per hour.

"I'm aware of the fact that the municipality is facing financial hardships and that there will be employees making concessions," Semeraro said, adding that since he is an employee, he has decided not to charge for the additional work.

Semeraro's attorney fees have been for the past several months after the mayor said that the borough is spending more on Semeraro this year than it did onThe council majority has disputed this.

Semeraro said he initially put the 250 hours to be included in his salary in the contract because he did not know how much work would need to be done and figured that would be a fair estimate. But now, having worked approximately 30 to 40 hours over the 250, Semeraro said he will not charge the borough for the additional hours.

"That would help, certainly budgetarily, so I thank you for that," Mayor Jon Dunleavy said in response.