Baldarelli said they paid more than $20,000 on their accounts and their business B & B Paving did work on Stewart Avenue to reduce their bill.

Lucas said the family owed back sewer fees and taxes.

“They paid the taxes and we made a deal on the sewer fees that they paid us X mount and they also did work on Stewart,” Lucas said, adding that the family leveled the street and put gravel down before it was repaved.

Lucas noted that the agreement did not address any future failure to pay sewer fees on the family’s part.

Madden said the deal is legal.

“They provided a benefit that the city decided to accept in lieu of cash,” Madden said.

When the road was repaired in March 2007, Baldarelli told The Herald the company decided to do the work because the city was financially strapped and couldn’t afford to do it.

Neither Baldarelli nor the city mentioned any agreement regarding delinquent sewer bills.

Named as defendants in the suits are: Levio J. Sr., and Ann Baldarelli, 2148 Hazen Road, Hermitage; Levio J. Jr., and Joyce Baldarelli, 619 Lyle Drive, Hermitage; Alan J. and Holly J. Baldarelli, 3801 Amhurst Drive, Hermitage; Mark P. and Paula J. Baldarelli, 1162 Rodeo Place, Hermitage; Alan and Levio Jr. as agents of Kalli Enterprises, 1149 E. State St., Sharon; and J and H Investments Inc., 50 Phillips Way, Sharon.

The suit seeks payment of penalties and legal fees, too, which Madden said would depend on “how long they choose to drag it out.”

It seems that timeframe may be lengthy. “If I have to take this to the Supreme Court I will,” Baldarelli said, noting that officials threatened to “embarrass” the family by putting their names in the news. “That’s not right,” he said.

A message left for the Baldarellis’ attorney was not immediately returned.