STRONG - The man who's been at odds with Mount Carmel Township supervisors over renovation work at a burned-out coal breaker in Atlas has been cited by township police for allegedly harassing a supervisor and street department worker at a convenience store.
Joseph D. Chimel, 60, of 146 W. Saylor St., Atlas, was cited by Mount Carmel Township Police for harassment following a disturbance at the Turkey Hill Minit Market in Strong at 1:16 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, according to court documents filed this week at the office of Magisterial District Judge Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel.
Chimel has been critical of the supervisors about the work D. Molesevich and Sons Construction Co. is doing at the former Savitski Coal Co. breaker. He says the township is not doing anything about what he claims are the company's violation of dirt and noise ordinances and doing work not permitted on Sundays.
Supervisors have said police and DEP have investigated and have not found any violations.
Township police Patrolman Kelly Campbell reported in a press release that Chimel approached the victims, Mount Carmel Township Supervisor Joseph Zanella and his son, township street department worker Sean Zanella, outside the store. Chimel yelled at the younger Zanella, accusing him of being a criminal and that he should be ashamed of himself.
Supervisor Zanella told Chimel to back off, Campbell said, after which Chimel yelled at the supervisor, stating that he would be "on him" about the breaker until the day he dies. The elder Zanella again told Chimel to back off before police arrived, according to Campbell's report.
Chimel faces a hearing on Aug. 11 before Jones.