Twp. Supervisor’s Resignation Surprises Other Board Members
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch
DINGMANS FERRY -- Jane Neufeld has resigned, unexpectedly, as a member and vice chairman for the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors as well as her seat as township treasurer.
"It's been an honor to serve Delaware Township residents for five and a half years but I find it's time for me to move on," said Neufeld, who later said. "It's a new chapter for me and a new chapter for the township."
Neufeld submitted her resignation on Dec. 31 and, therefore, did not attend the board's Reorganization Meeting held early last week. Her term expires the end of 2023.
Neufeld's resignation is subject to an approval vote at the next board meeting on Wednesday evening this week. Township Administrator Krista Predmore said that a time frame will be set up within compliance of the state code for townships of that population to accept letters of interest for an interim supervisor to fill the vacancy for the rest of the year.
Another deadline will be set to decide on an interim supervisor and to schedule an approval vote.
At the reorganization meting, Supervisor Rick Koehler was voted vice chairman and township treasurer, the posts held by Neufeld in recent years.
John Henderson was re-appointed as chairman of the board and as secretary. Predmore was re-appointed township administrator and as township assistant treasurer. Robin Jones is full-time Administrative/Human Resources assistant.
In recent years, Neufeld and Premore have collaborated on township budgets, balancing them without a tax increase since 2017 when the general fund millage rate was lowered by one mill to 8.68.
Neufeld denied any friction with fellow board members or the township when asked about it.
Predmore said, "Not that I'm aware of" any differences with board members, saying the decision was "definitely not expected."
Neufeld said there were no health issues involved with her decision, when asked.
"There was no forewarning of this, typical of Jane," said Henderson. "It was a surprise to all."
The reorganizatin meeting lasted just 18 minutes for approvals, without comment.
They included recognizing Jones as deputy tax collector as approved by township Tax Collector Mary Lou Corbett. Henderson and Koehler will serve as banking and checking signatories. Wayne Bank, Dime Bank and PLGIT are depositories again this year.
The Treasurer's Bond was set at $2.8 million and the assistant bond at $100,000.
Kirk Summa and Co. LLP remain as the certified public accounting firm to replace the elected auditors.
The Pike County Dispatch was approved as official township newspaper, along with the Pocono Record and the Tri-County Independent.
LVL Engineering Group was appointed township engineer. Code Inspectors, Inc. is the township residential and commercial building inspector.
Jamie Montague was appointed full-time permit assistant and Right to Know officer and also as Zoning Hearing Board Secretary.
In a noteworthy appointment, Richard Bailo was named township roadmaster. He was the second one to serve as alternate roadmaster during the closing months of last year after longtime roadmaster Vince Flatt died early last year.
Bailo also will serve on the Pike County Road Task Force. He and Koehler were named as township representatives attending the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) annual convention in Hershey. Koehler was appointed voting delegate for the convention.
Matthew Light again will serve as township Emergency Management Coordinator after completing his first year at the post in 2022 when George Beodeker retired. Dillon Miller was re-appointed deputy coordinator.
Tom Farley, Esq. wil remain as township solicitor at a pay rate of $175 per hour, with Christian Weed, Esq. as alternate solicitor for that rate. Farley also was re-appointed township Planning Commission solicitor, with Weed as alternate, both at the same pay rate.
Stanley Beecher, Esq. remains as solicitor, with Anthony Waldron, Esq. as alternate for the township Zoning Hearing Board. Beecher also is attorney for the Building Hearing Board of the township.
Max Brinson was approved to a four-year term on the township's Zoning Hearing board and Jim Owens will serve a three-year term on the Building Hearing Board. Mike Moffa was named an alternate to the Building Hearing Board. Predmore again will serve as secretary of that board.
Scott Axelband, Gary Freene and Meghan Irwin were approved to serve one-year terms on the Safety Committee and Jones was named secretary.
Steve McBride was appointed to the Vacancy Board.
Ron Tussell was appointed part-time sewage enforcement officer and part-time zoning/code enforcement officer.
Gas reimbursement is $65.5 pert mil for use of personal vehicles while on township business.
As for scheduling, holidays were approved and Board of Supervisors workshops and regular meetings remain on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, except for November and December.
As for other meetings, the Planning Commission will meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., or as necessary. The Recreation Committee will meet the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. and the Safety Committee on the first Thursday at 8:30 a.m. the Zoning Hearing Board will meet as needed at a date and time to be determined.