Residents complain about delays
EXETER TOWNSHIP >> The Exeter Township supervisors fielded resident complaints at a recent meeting over what they claim is the township’s slow processing of Right-to-Know requests.
Residents Greg Galtere of Nancy Circle and David Hughes of West 47th Street alleged that the township intentionally delays its responses to Right-to-Know requests.
Township Manager John Granger responded with a summary of the number and legal costs associated with Right-to-Know requests from 2017 through June. For the six-month periods from January to June, there were 39 requests in 2017, 34 in 2018 and 126 requests this year.
The legal expense this year already exceeds the full-year expenses of $45,597 in 2017 and $41,372 in 2018. Granger said those totals are just legal fees and do not include staff time.
Galtere said the Right-toKnow requests are “a result of lack of trust and the delays are not acceptable.”
Township Solicitor Sam Cortes said there is no staff available to answer the requests in five days, and the township needs a 30-day extension.
Hughes countered that he has “heard all the excuses before,” and said all but one of his requests took 35 days to complete. In addition, he complained that township staff waits until the end of the 35th day to let him know the information is available.
Michele Gilbert, the township’s human resources manager, said that providing more information on the newly revised website should reduce the number of Right-to-Know requests. Residents will get information faster when it is available on the website, she said.
Laurie Getz, director of communications and community engagement, announced that the new website features a modern and updated design and provides easy access to documents and publications. It also includes a community events calendar.
The supervisors also discussed the Neversink Road underpass closure. Residents Sarah Boyer of Maci Way and Delana Shuhler of West Neversink Road complained that the closure prevents emergency medical personnel from responding quickly.
“This is a possible lifeand-death situation” Shuhler said.
She said she’d recently waited for an ambulance for her son, and added that the only quick way to get to some houses is to go through a field.
Joe Rogosky, township engineer, said that “Norfolk Southern needs to do the application and permitting process,” but disputes the need for Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection permits even though it is not exempt from federal regulations. Rogosky said Norfolk Southern has filed for a time extension with DEP.
Cortes added that the matter may go before an administrative law judge and public hearing to get resolved, since Norfolk Southern did not comply with the Public
Utility Commission’s June 30 deadline for completion.
In other business, Police Chief Wendell Morris reported that Lt. Steven Schaeffer recently completed a 22-week course through Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety that included topics on leadership and resource allocation.