T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Shadyside Fiscal Officer Gerald Elliot answers questions last week about financial operations in the village. Pultney Township Trustee Frank Shaffer observes in the background.

SHADYSIDE — Financial questions and bylaws were on the table last week for Shadyside Village Council.

Councilwoman Melanie Haswell inquired whether Fiscal Officer Gerald Elliot should attend the two monthly council meetings.

“Just to go over budgets, to go over money. When people ask me on the street where something is coming from, I want to be able to know what to tell them,” Haswell said.

She added that in cases where a project’s price had increased, she wants to know where the additional funds would be drawn from.

“Just so I know as a councilperson,” she said.

Councilman Nick Ferrelli said Elliot could attend meetings as needed, but he did not think it was necessary for him to appear at every meeting when he might not be able to contribute.

Elliot said he was available to speak to council members outside of meeting times. He added that office administrator Marcia Soos is also the assistant fiscal officer and available to answer questions. He said family issues occupy many of his evenings.

“I’ll help you anytime,” he said, adding that ongoing spending reports are provided.

He and council discussed issues surrounding the general fund, noting general fund dollars can be sent to other funds dedicated to specific issues, but money from those funds cannot be moved to the general fund.

“All the other funds are specifically their fund. The street fund, water, sewer – the general fund encompasses a lot of different funds,” Elliot said.

Ferrelli added that the finance committee, composed of himself, Village Administrator Tim Merryman and Councilman Mike Meintel, is also able to answer questions.

In other matters, council heard from Dan Janovich of Hill View Drive, who commended council for establishing a 5-ton weight limit for vehicles on nearby West 36th Street, but he voiced some fears.

“We’ve had so many trucks and school buses that shouldn’t be on that road,” he said, adding that a school bus is making stops at an individual house rather than at an intersection.

Shadyside Local School District Superintendent John Haswell said the bus weighs about 10,000 pounds

“There’s a safety issue, too. If you’re coming up the hill and that school bus is coming down, one of these days there’s going to be a head-on accident,” Janovich said.

“The only reason we go up there now … (a resident) didn’t want his little kids in the dark walking. … It was a matter of safety for the child, simple as that,” John Haswell said.

“Can anybody who lives in town request a pickup by the school bus at their house?” Janovich asked.

“It depends on the needs,” Superintendent Haswell said.

Janovich also said the New Life Fellowship Church has two signs up that exceed the 6-square-foot designated size.

Mayor Bob Newhart said the church had applied for a variance that was approved. In answer to another question, Janovich said the sign did not block traffic.

“We’re not going to make the church take the sign down,” Ferrelli said. “We’re not going to pick on the churches.”

“Why have codes and laws on the books?” Janovich asked in response. “What’s the purpose?”

Janovich also asked about the process for approving a variance.

He was told the Variance Committee hears requests for a structure that does not meet the village code. The committee meetings are public, and people may attend and voice their objections. Janovich was told that involved residents were notified, but said he did not receive notification.