Officials clash over ‘conflicts’ resolution
UPPER POTTSGROVE >> While many municipalities complain they need more people to enter into public service, this township is considering a policy that would limit public service.
During Monday night’s commissioner meeting, the board discussed a proposed resolution that would prohibit township commissioners from being voting members of other “township boards, commissions or committees as well as other non-profit organizations that receive monetary contributions from Upper Pottsgrove Township.”
Depending on who you ask, it is either an attempt to avoid the “appearance of conflict of interest and undue influence” or “a personal slap in the face.”
Earlier in the evening, Commissioner Elwood Taylor shook hands with Commissioners’ Chairman Trace Slinkerd upon receiving an award for 20 years of service.
Later, Taylor said he thought it ironic that the same night, Slinkerd would be engineering what he described as a personal attack on him.
“I can’t help but think this is aimed at me,” Taylor of the resolution.
In addition to being a longtime member of the planning commission, Taylor was also recently appointed to the board of the non-profit group Green
Allies, which runs the Althouse Arboretum and receives an annual contribution from the township.
So too does the Pottsgrove Parks and Recreation Board, of which Commissioner Renee Spaide is a member.
So although this resolution could potentially affect that position as well, Spaide was quick to point out that the parks and recreation board’s establishing document requires membership by a township commissioner from each of the three townships which comprise it.
And while the resolution also could potentially affect Vice Chairman France Krazalkovich’s position on the township’s fire committee, the re-structuring to that committee he himself has proposed includes a requirement that at least one commissioner be a member of the fire committee.
Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr., who drew up the resolution, confirmed that the resolution contains “an exception” when the board on which a commissioner is serving requires the presence of a township commissioner.
On the other hand, Commissioner Martin Schreiber’s position on the Civil Service Commission would be in conflict with this resolution. It would also prohibit him from holding a seat on the board of directors of the fire company, which also receives funding from the township.
Schreiber is currently president of the fire company.
Slinkerd, who indicated he was speaking for the majority of the board, said he would expect that Schreiber and Taylor to resign from their respective boards once the resolution is adopted in October.
“It’s the feeling of the majority of the board that commissioners should serve on just one board, it’s not punitive,” Slinkerd said.
But, as Taylor noted, the resolution does not have the power to force them to resign.
Garner confirmed that once someone is appointed to a township board or commission, he or she serves out their term unless they resign, or are removed through a formal process, usually only for extreme misconduct.
Taylor also pointed out that the Pennsylvania township code makes provisions for and allows commissioners to serve on the planning commission.
“I take personal slight at this, practical slight at this. It’s ironic this comes up on day I receive a plaque for 20 years of service. It’s beyond the pale, I’m offended,” said Taylor.
“I can’t believe you made this a personal issue,” responded Slinkerd. “Are you so important that we can’t live without you on the planning commission?” he asked Taylor.
Taylor also pointed out that using the phrase “conflict of interest” in the resolution has a legal meaning. It refers to someone who is benefiting personally and financially, from their position.
Garner confirmed that is how the state’s ethics act defines conflict of interest.
Given that he is actually expected to give money, not get money, by serving on the Green Allies board, and is unpaid as a member of the planning commission, “which is advisory only,” Taylor said he objected to the suggestion that he needed to be removed because he was somehow benefiting financially from those roles.
“It could be seen as a huge appearance of conflict of interest to be on board of non-profit that is lobbying commissioners for taxpayer money,” said Krazalkovich.
It was also pointed out that the appearance to which Krazalkovich referred could be easily dealt with by simply abstaining from such a vote.
Slinkerd said Taylor is welcome to attend all the planning commission meetings he likes and offer as much comment as he wanted.
“You and I both know that being a member provides you with much more information,” said Taylor.
“Ah, so you’re talking about the undue influence then?” Slinkerd responded. “It’s about knowledge,” Taylor replied coldly.