VILLAS – Controversy over the bidding process or lack of same, used for professional services contracts bubbled to the surface at Lower Township Council’s meeting March 7.
Councilman David Perry (R-2nd Ward) opened the issue to public discussion during his comments section when he stated that he was quite upset with the “irresponsible comments” made at the Feb. 17 meeting by Deputy Mayor Norris Clark and Mayor Michael Beck, both independents, concerning a need to review the professional services bidding process in the township.
It had apparently been agreed by council members prior to the open meeting to discuss the issue in closed session because there was a possibility that employee performance might be raised during the expected partisan debate over the bidding process that began at the February meeting.
Regardless, Perry charged that both Norris and Beck had been critical of the township treasury employees who did not deserve to be “harassed and ridiculed” for doing their jobs well.
Beck countered that this issue should not be played out at a public meeting and that he was tired of these pitched battles on council over this and other issues.
Beck added that he did not criticize anyone; that in fact he suggested an independent review of the township’s procedure because the fault may lie with council, not the employees. Beck stated “I will not get into this publicly.”
Clark joined Beck in stating that an independent review of the professional services bidding process should be based on best practices established by the League of Municipalities, a suggestion he made at the February meeting.
Councilmen Erik Simonsen (R-3rd Ward) and Thomas Conrad (R-1st Ward) both continued to lament the criticism by Beck and Clark as unfair, while Beck and Clark repeated that there was no criticism of employees, but the process itself should be reviewed by an outside party to avoid the in-fighting that seems to characterize current council meetings.
It became clear to all that the closed session discussion on this topic will likely be a volatile one.
Budget Passed
After very little comment at the public hearing on the township budget proposal, the $20,086,898 budget was passed by a 3-2 vote, although both the mayor and deputy mayor voted against it because of their long-time objections to using Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority ratepayers’ money to fill a funding gap in the budget to the benefit of taxpayers.
The LTMUA had been asked for, and provided $205,000 to the township budget from its surplus to help hold the line on taxes. The budget generally increased spending by $74,443 over last year’s budget; Chief Financial Officer Lauren Read noted that there was a $400,000 savings to the township based on changes to the health care plan.
International Prize Won
Township council honored John and Kathy Louderback of Gaiss’ Market, Villas for winning the top prize at the German Butcher’s Association competition held in Frankfurt, Germany for their kielbasa.
This international competition also honored their hot dogs as a third place finisher in that category.
Council lauded the couple as much for their community activism and participation as for their internationally-recognized meats.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
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