The Concerned Taxpayers Party is forming in Greenville.

The borough’s Committee of Concerned Taxpayers sent out a two-page letter last week announcing a town meeting it will host next week to discuss results of a survey it conducted last year and "to explore possible candidates for (the five) borough council positions coming up for election this year."

The committee asked residents to bring the letter as an invitation to a meeting at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Knights of Columbus on Clarksville Road.

Last year, the committee sent out surveys asking residents if they supported several borough projects. The projects included a sports complex in West Salem Township; trail construction linking the complex to Riverside Park, and an upgrade of existing trails; swimming pool improvements and a new recreation center; downtown streetscaping; and construction of a since-completed fire station.

About 900 taxpayers responded, overwhelmingly voting against each of the projects.

The purpose of the survey, the committee said, was "to show our local government that the previous survey conducted by GALSA to determine support for recreation projects was not properly mailed to Greenville taxpayers and did not properly reflect the sentiments of Greenville taxpayers."

"GALSA mailed a limited amount of forms to (residents) with the balance mailed to sursupported by many taxpayers like myself. We deserve an answer."

Hooper’s letter became a petition, which began circulating Thursday.

Friday, board President Duane Piccirilli responded to some of their concerns.

Hooper had said the $24 million high school building project was at risk because looming departures of Mastrian (the end of June) and Hickory Principal Dr. Kathleen Nogay (this month) would leave the district without a project leader. "This could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars (in change orders), and you have no person of knowledge to contest these charges," said Hooper, who recommended Mastrian stay on until his replacement was up to speed on the project.

Piccirilli said Directors Gene Martuccio and Matt DeJulia go every week to construction meetings, and Karen Ionta, who last fall was named assistant superintendent, will begin them attending along with Mastrian. Piccirilli added that Ionta has been through two construction projects in other districts. Former board member Dewey McCullough, the board’s contracted project manager, is on the site every day, Piccirilli added.

Hooper also had said the team negotiating teacher’s union contracts for the board has no experience, and recommended putting Martuccio and DeJulia, who have served as negotiators, on the team.

Piccirilli said the negotiators -- Directors Tim Ruffo, Jim Lumpp and Jessie Hull, who were selected last summer -- are more than capable. Other directors and solicitor Donald McKay have offered to help.

Lumpp, a board negotiator, also responded to Hooper’s concern, saying Hooper "has no direct knowledge of my background, expertise or ability to serve as a negotiator. As president of Sharon Tube, Mr. Hooper should know better than to publicly question the credentials of any individuals without first researching the facts."

Hooper also had said negotiations need to include administrators and principals, and "with Dr. Mastrian in limbo, Dr. Nogay gone and no replacement up to speed," the district is at a disadvantage.

Piccirilli said Mastrian’s contract is good through the end of June and negotiations could be completed by then. The board could vote to include Mastrian in the negotiations by giving him a stipend, which has been done in the past, Piccirilli added.

Regarding Mrs. Kelly’s concerns, Piccirilli said he had no personal agenda and that other board members could speak for themselves Tuesday. Piccirilli, who voted against Mastrian’s contract renewal, was on the board that hired Mastrian seven years ago.

Lumpp’s response: "Six of the nine (board members), after considerable thought and having discussed many options in executive session, decided to seek a new leader for our district. I question the intentions of any individual passing baseless rumors at a public meeting, and nobody with an ounce of maturity would respond to rumor and innuendo."

Said Piccirilli: "We all want a good district. Some of us are coming from different angles. I don’t know where we can go from here. I hope we can move forward."

The board meets at 7 p.m. at Artman Elementary School.