Lower Moreland Official to Issue Public Apology

In light of his recent actions at a township meeting held in January, Planning Commission Vice Chair Robert Costello Jr. will issue a formal apology at the next public meeting on Thurs., Feb. 23.

Tensions escalated when the topic of a possible new apartment complex was brought up at the previous Planing Commission meeting, and Costello was involved in a shouting match with a few residents. Many people at the meeting expressed they felt disrespected after Costello told residents to

Last night at the Board of Commissioners meeting, President Jill Blumhardt said Costello submitted a letter to the board issuing an apology and explained his actions. Blumhardt said he would issue his public apology at the 7:30 p.m. meeting in two weeks.

“We take a look at his actions,” Vice President Robert DeMartinis said. “We are trying to look at his value to the community against his action, and that’s why we gave him the opportunity to apologize.”

Residents who attended last night’s meeting suggested Costello, who was elected five years ago, should step down or be removed from his position. One person said he was “appalled” someone in Costello’s position would lose his composure like that. Another said he heard Costello curse at a group of people in the parking lot after the meeting.  

DeMartinis said he would take the resident's comments into consideration.