Newtown Township Supervisors - I wonder what they think reviewing the bills means?

At Monday's Board of Supervisors meeting, Chairman Catania said that he had reviewed the Township's bills to be paid. He and the other Supervisors had no questions or comments prior to paying bills that amounted to over $265,000.  Manager Trio did note that some of the bills being paid were from 2013.  In my view, the Supervisors have the task of ensuring that resident tax dollars are spent in a responsible manner.  How is it possible that they had no questions or need for clarification of any of the bills paid?  

The bills that were paid were posted on the Township website. Given the sizable amount paid,I decided after the meeting to review the bills  They are posted on Newtowntownship.org.

Now, I have some questions about the bills that were paid:

1.  Seems David DiPasqua was paid $240.00 for 12 Zoning Hearing Meetings in 2013.  In February, 2013, Mr. DiPasqua became the solicitor for the Newtown Zoning Hearing Board.  In addition to being paid as solicitor, should taxpayers pay Mr. DiPasqua for attending the Zoning Hearing Meetings?  

2.  $389.15 was paid to Gall's for Batteries.  Where are these batteries being used?

3.  Looks like taxpayers paid $322.12 twice for 4 tires for car 71-8 Dodge Durango.  Did this car need tires twice?  Or did we double pay the same invoice?

4.  Two invoices for High Swartz for services in August and October, 2013 were paid for a total of $822.50.  Why so late in this billing or payment?  What were the services rendered for these bills?

5.  The Police Deparment spent $215.95 on Christmas cards.  $285.95 was also paid for Public Relations Pencils--don't know whether these were for Police PR or Township PR.  Not a single Supervisor asked about these bills.

6.  Over $29.000 was paid to Stantec Consulting Services for December, 2013.  Are these just general engineering bills or do they relate to development projects underway in the Township--are any of these charges reimbursable?

7.  $1647.07 was paid to PA unemployment compensation fund--why is that?


It's hard for me to imagine that a review of the bills by 5 different Supervisors resulted in no questions or need for clarification.  Why is this the case?