Vocal critic takes seat on board

David W. Hughes, the newly elected Exeter Township supervisor who was highly critical of the board for years, attended his first meeting and went on to oppose six nominated appointments.

Berks County Judge Tina Boyd swore in Hughes at the start of the meeting.

As a procedure with reorganizational meetings, a temporary chairman and temporary township secretary are needed to lead and record the meeting.

Hughes voted no to Township Manager Jeff Bartlett’s appointment as temporary secretary.

The vote was 4-1 in favor of Bartlett for the evening’s proceedings.

Acting Chairwoman Michelle Kirchner and Hughes voted no in a 3-2 decision in favor of appointing Carl W. Staples as board chairman.

Previously Hughes made a motion to appoint himself to the chairman’s position with Kirchner voting yes, but they were out-voted by the remaining three supervisors.

In a 4-1 vote, supervisors appointed supervisor George Bell as vice chair.

Hughes voted no, citing the fact that Bell was still employed whereas Kirchner and himself were retired. Hughes had previously recommended Kirchner as vice chair.

A recommendation to table the vote on township secretary and township solicitor was made by Hughes and approved by the board.

Those appointments will be voted on at the Jan. 10 meeting.

Tina Stephens was appointed 4-1 as assistant township secretary.

Hughes voted no, giving no reason.

Hughes recommended not approving planning commission member Jeff Anderton and suggested appointing Ted Gardella to the commission instead.

Hughes said Anderton had assailed him on social media.

Gardella, who serves on the National College Board, unanimously got the position.

During public comment, a resident blasted Hughes for opposing the proposed relocation of township facilities to the former Exeter Promenade, citing a need for more room for police and fire, mentioning a promised $1 million donation from J.P. Mascaro to the fire company, which could be spent for the move.

Hughes said he ran to stop the township from spending as much as $40 million to $70 million to relocate.

“This is not in our township’s financial ability to do this,” Hughes said.

“I’m very privileged and humbled to be on this board,” he said. “I devoted the last five years to exposing problems here in the township. I have some ideas and some plans. Will I fix things? I don’t know, but I have no personal agenda.”