October 5th East Vincent BoS Meeting

Highlights of the Wednesday, October 5^th East Vincent Board of Supervisors meeting

1.  Chairman John Funk explained that an emergency meeting of the BoS was conducted on Thursday, September 15^th as a result of a sewer emergency at the intersection of Brown Drive and Pennhurst Road.  A collapse of manholes causing wastewater to flood the area necessitated the meeting, which resulted in a bid award immediately issued for the pumping of water to another sewer main, the digging of the roadway and the ultimate replacement of affected manholes.  Such meetings are rare, are outside of the normal bid process and sunshine law requirements, and minutes of that meeting were composed and approved last night.  This is an example of Township officials meeting a compelling need and executing their duties without a hiccup.

2.  Property tax revenues are decreasing at an alarming rate due to reassessments of resident homes based on current economic conditions.  Chairman Funk estimated that revenue in this specific category is lower by as much as 20%.  Coupled with the reduction in earned income tax revenue, the Township will face a daunting challenge preparing the 2012 budget without recommending a tax increase.

3.  Township Manager Mary Flagg spoke to the recent spate of traffic sign vandalism and urged residents to report any such activity they see to the EVT Police.

4.  Manager Flagg reported on the ribbon cutting ceremony at Camp Hill dedicating the new buildings on the site and related the very warm reception provided by Camp Hill administrators and shared the thanks given to the Township for its cooperation in the expansion.

5.  Responding to complaints about traffic on 724 being stalled by the traffic light at the intersection of 724 and Bridge Street, part of the in-ground detection system was found to be faulty and was replaced.  Residents are asked to report any unusual waiting times due to the traffic light there.

6.  A summary of a new proposed amendment to Chapter 21, Streets and Sidewalks, is being advertised for public comment.  The new Part 4 will deal with curbs and sidewalks and is principally being submitted to address the complaints about inadequate snow removal on private property. Residents are urged to review a full copy of the draft at the Township Building or request a copy by email from Township Manager Flagg at evt@comcast.net.

7.  Chairman Funk followed up with Supervisor Christine McNeil about his request for a document from the Northern Federation providing written assurances that the capital funds East Vincent has fronted for a Parks and Recreation study be guaranteed to be reimbursed in the event that certain contractual stipulations come into play that could put that reimbursement in jeopardy. (See September 8^th blog, item #4.)

Supervisor McNeil replied that there was no need for the Federation to provide such a document since the matter was agreed to in the 2009 acceptance by the EVT BoS of the contract and that in the 35 year plus history of the Federation there has never been an instance of the Federation leaving a constituent member out to dry.  She went on further to say that the members of the Federation felt insulted by the request, and she agreed with that feeling.

Chairman Funk and Vice Chairman Dunphy then discussed that as of this date approximately $60,000 of East Vincent taxpayer money is in potential technical jeopardy as pointed out by the Township’s recent audit, and that it was incomprehensible that the elected officials making up the Federation would not understand the fiduciary responsibility the EVT BoS has to ensure the funds would be recovered in the event that two or more of the constituent members declined to approve the final plan.

A colorful and loud discussion ensued to the amusement of the audience.  Chairman Funk described Supervisor McNeil’s lack of loyalty to the Township and Supervisor McNeil denounced Chairman Funk’s shortsightedness and claimed that the request was politically motivated.  Accusations went back and forth with many of the audience speaking aloud to the bottom line that it is all about our tax money.  When Chairman Funk said that he was inclined to not pay out any more money, Supervisor McNeil said, “We’ll have to sue you then.”  Richard Chakejian attending the meeting asked if he heard her correctly and that a Supervisor was going to litigate against her Township.   Chairman Funk replied, “Yes.”

Bringing this to a conclusion, Vice Chairman Dunphy made a motion to suspend any more payments to the Federation until the Board’s request for guarantees was provided which was seconded by Chairman Funk and passed 2-1.