Supervisor: Let's Review Employee Use of Township Vehicles

Supervisor Brian Spicer said Tuesday that of the seven employees who drive township vehicles, only one uses his personal car to travel to and from work, using the other for daytime business trips and emergencies only.

And he told fellow members of the board that he’d like to see more detailed information on how and when those vehicles are used so that “we can determine whether or not the policy will be continued.”

That promoted Supervisor Jeff Stanley to ask: “Is there a problem with the current policy?”

At that point, North Strabane Manager Frank Siffrinn confirmed: There really is no written policy governing the use of township vehicles—although he noted that it was “understood” that they were not to be utilized for personal use.

He then suggested that the conversation start with trying to establish such a policy based on the review of information Spicer requested, as well as discussion by supervisors.

“I suggest that’s where we start,” he told the board.

Spicer agreed.

“I think we need to take a hard look at using tax dollars for (employees with township vehicles) to go back and forth to work from their homes,” he said. “We are paying for gas and insurance for them to come back and forth to work.”

“I think there needs to be some ground rules,” Stanley interjected, nodding.

That’s when Parks and Recreation Director Greg Sulc walked up to the lectern to address the board.

“I’m one of the people who uses a township vehicle,” he said, adding that while he does use it for personal reasons, he also pays for his own gas and oil changes. “Nobody came to me and asked me to do that.”

But Spicer said that wasn’t the point.

“My point is we’re not treating our staff equally,” he retorted.

Because he said maybe not all the staff using the vehicles are fueling them on their own dime.

“Chances are pretty good that (some of them are using township fuel),” he said.

Further discussion is expected at an upcoming township meeting.