The problems that can arise when an elected township supervisor is also a township employee took center stage at the April 27 Pocopson Township meeting, which was conducted by videoconference.
The receptionist at the township office, Ricki Stumpo, who also chairs the township Board of Supervisors, was laid off from her receptionist job effective April 13. The other supervisors explained that the layoff was necessary because the township office was closed due to the pandemic and Ms. Stumpo could not do her job from home.
They stressed that it was not an easy decision to make and was "nothing personal." The supervisors said the need for the receptionist position will be re-evaluated when the township office reopens.
Also at the meeting, the township's Board of Auditors responded to a complaint from a resident earlier this year about the way they handled a 20% pay raise for Ms. Stumpo (to $21.43 per hour) before the layoff.
One of the auditors, Tim Connolly, said they could have done a better job documenting their discussion about the raise (specifically that it represented a one-time adjustment) but said it was granted because of her extensive experience and "how she added value beyond what was required."
(See http://www.pocopson.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Auditor-Minutes-1-7-2020.pdf for the minutes from that meeting.)
Auditor Charlie Benzel said he thought the raise was justified but said in retrospect the board could have gathered more information before making the decision.
The third auditor, Joyce Wertz, said, "I was unaware we could put this on hold ... I assumed the decision was supposed to be made at that meeting."
The auditors and supervisors agreed that more guidelines and more communication were needed should the issue arise again.
Pocopson resident Randy Mims, a member of the township's historical committee, described the interaction between the auditors and Ms. Stumpo as yet another in a series of "egregious" conflicts of interest that he was once again bringing to the township's attention. He thought she should resign as supervisor.
Also at the meeting, township officials announced that as of April 27 there had been 30 COVID-19 cases reported in the township, nine of them at the Pocopson Home. One person had died. Also, the site for the June 2 primary election has been moved from the Pocopson Home to Pocopson Elementary School. Although the township office is closed to the public, the road crew has been working every day on staggered shifts, and the office staff are working from home on a rotating basis.
Also, the township's Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to meet May 4 to review a request by Michael and Michele Doyle to add a garage to their house at 1342 Lenape Road. The edge of the proposed garage will be closer to the side lot line than the zoning ordinance permits.
The receptionist at the township office, Ricki Stumpo, who also chairs the township Board of Supervisors, was laid off from her receptionist job effective April 13. The other supervisors explained that the layoff was necessary because the township office was closed due to the pandemic and Ms. Stumpo could not do her job from home.
They stressed that it was not an easy decision to make and was "nothing personal." The supervisors said the need for the receptionist position will be re-evaluated when the township office reopens.
Also at the meeting, the township's Board of Auditors responded to a complaint from a resident earlier this year about the way they handled a 20% pay raise for Ms. Stumpo (to $21.43 per hour) before the layoff.
One of the auditors, Tim Connolly, said they could have done a better job documenting their discussion about the raise (specifically that it represented a one-time adjustment) but said it was granted because of her extensive experience and "how she added value beyond what was required."
(See http://www.pocopson.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Auditor-Minutes-1-7-2020.pdf for the minutes from that meeting.)
Auditor Charlie Benzel said he thought the raise was justified but said in retrospect the board could have gathered more information before making the decision.
The third auditor, Joyce Wertz, said, "I was unaware we could put this on hold ... I assumed the decision was supposed to be made at that meeting."
The auditors and supervisors agreed that more guidelines and more communication were needed should the issue arise again.
Pocopson resident Randy Mims, a member of the township's historical committee, described the interaction between the auditors and Ms. Stumpo as yet another in a series of "egregious" conflicts of interest that he was once again bringing to the township's attention. He thought she should resign as supervisor.
Also at the meeting, township officials announced that as of April 27 there had been 30 COVID-19 cases reported in the township, nine of them at the Pocopson Home. One person had died. Also, the site for the June 2 primary election has been moved from the Pocopson Home to Pocopson Elementary School. Although the township office is closed to the public, the road crew has been working every day on staggered shifts, and the office staff are working from home on a rotating basis.
Also, the township's Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to meet May 4 to review a request by Michael and Michele Doyle to add a garage to their house at 1342 Lenape Road. The edge of the proposed garage will be closer to the side lot line than the zoning ordinance permits.
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