EXETER TOWNSHP, Pa. – By a 4-1 vote Monday night, the Exeter Township Board of Supervisors approved a short-term contract to hire an interim township manager.
The 60-day contract with Kafferlin Associates, Warren, hires Kafferlin partner, Lisa Hagberg, as interim township manager.
Hagberg replaces former interim township manager, Larry Piersol, who will return to his position as township public works director.
"I want to echo everyone's thoughts that Larry Piersol has done an outstanding job as Exeter township interim manager," said Supervisor Jack Piho, as he announced the change.
"Larry has been doing multiple job titles since filling in as interim manager, including director of public works," Piho said. "With large painting jobs that are time critical, this will require Larry to devote even more of his time to complete these projects on time and on budget."
"I agree that it makes the most sense at this time to free him up and bring in a short-term interim township manager," Piho continued. "This is the basis for the resolution. Larry will continue to assist Lisa Hagberg in her duties."
Piho added that he hoped to fill the permanent township manager position in the next two to three months.
Hagberg spoke briefly and reviewed her qualifications. She noted that she had twenty years of experience in public accounting, with much of it in government auditing. She said she has worked for 11 years as a municipal manager for a small community in Warren County and has been the director of finance and administration for Warren County.
Supervisor David Hughes said he had six areas of concern in the proposed contract.
"I had no idea this contract was going to come out," Hughes said, implying that he did not have much time to review it.
Hughes said he had problems with the terms and termination provisions. "I don't think we should have an automatic renewal every seven days," Hughes objected. He also had problems with the 7-day termination notice, saying that 30 days is customary.
Hughes also objected to the compensation arrangement of $5,000 per week for 20 to 30 hours of work. He also objected to paying for Kefferlin employees' expenses unless they would submit one firm amount for expenses for the contract period.
Hughes also expressed concerns about the broad authority given to the interim manager for things like hiring and firing employees and setting compensation.
At this point, Piho interrupted and asked Hughes to "wrap it up." Hughes replied, "No, I’m going as quick as I can." Piho again reiterated that the meeting had to move on, and Hughes said, "Listen, I represent the people of this township. Nobody else had any comments on this contract, I'm the only one, and you’re going to have to listen to me."
The supervisors did not listen, and the meeting moved on.
New Police Officers Sworn In
New police officers Jacob Moyer, Nick Stolz, and Dallas Henry were sworn in by Magisterial District Judge Sandra L. Fegley. Police Chief Matthew Hawley noted they were hired in early January and completed the Police Academy June 28.
Administration
By a 5-0 vote, the supervisors voted to end the lease with Exeter Township School District for Community Park, also known as Happy Landings. In recent years, the park has been subject to a great deal of vandalism, according to Piersol. The lease ends in February 2025, and a minimum of 90 days' notice is required.
Public Works
A motion to approve the purchase of a John Deere 6110M Cab Tractor and Mowmaster TT-17R in the amount of $190,560.00 was approved. The purchase will be paid from the Liquid Fuels Fund.
Finance
The supervisors tabled a resolution authorizing the transfer of funds from the Wastewater Proceeds Fund to the Golf Fund in the amount of $205,000. The transfer is to pay off the temporary loan from December 2022. The Golf Fund was unable to pay off the loan in 2023 and is unlikely to be able to do so in 2024.
Parks & Recreation
The supervisors set the dates and time of the Halloween Hayride and Haunted House for Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 from 6:00 -10:00 p.m. at Trout Run Sports Complex.
Also, the supervisors set the date and time of the Festival of Lights for Dec. 7 at 5:00 p.m. at the Reading Country Club. In addition. the dates and time of the Santa tour were set for Dec. 9 through Dec. 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
