Mosta council, with a Labour mayor for the first time since local government came into being here, seems to have expansionist aims: it is moving into neighbouring Naxxar the locality signs that show its boundaries.

War has not broken out yet, but Naxxar council yesterday deplored the Mosta mayor’s behaviour.

It all seems to be a big bully affair: Mosta has overtaken Qormi as Malta’s second biggest town, after Birkirkara.

In a statement signed by Naxxar mayor Maria F. Deguara, executive secretary Paul Gatt, and councillor Salvu Sciberras, Naxxar council said that on 10 July and 27 August the mayor of Mosta had ordered the removal of plaques showing Mosta council’s boundaries, and had placed them “where he thought fit” without consulting Naxxar council.

Naxxar council said the Mosta mayor should understand that the confines of towns were established by law and he could not have them changed according to whim.

On the first occasion, the council said, it tried to settle matters amicably and after informing the competent authorities, it put the plaque back in its place, reserving the right to send the bill to Mosta council.

But last Monday, Mosta council employees had removed a huge plaque and put it up inside Naxxar council’s boundaries. Now the residents in the area are not sure which is their council, Naxxar local council said.

This time Naxxar council again informed the authorities about the matter, but confiscated the plaque.

Attempts to contact Mosta’s mayor were unsuccessful.