Supervisor quits 6 weeks into 6-year term

Joseph W. Farley cites divisive atmosphere

The Maidencreek Township supervisors have accepted the resignation of newly elected board member Joseph W. Farley.

Just six weeks into his six-year position, Farley penned a letter to the board stating that a “divisive atmosphere was no longer in his comfort zone.”

The resignation was effective Feb. 4, and Farley did not attend Thursday’s meeting, Feb. 10.

Supervisor David Franke was back on the board after resigning on Jan. 3 over the firing of longtime Township Manager Diane Hollenbach.

He rescinded the resignation before it was effective, adding that he reconsidered due to long-standing public support.

The only supervisor who hasn’t resigned is Chairwoman Heidi Fiedler, who has been the center of other controversies on the board.

Fiedler with the help of Farley in January ousted Hollenbach, who had a 21year tenure at the township.

Fiedler claimed Hollenbach was paying herself Christmas bonuses that were not approved by supervisors.

During that meeting, Franke said that the bonuses were approved in November.

Also in January, Fiedler and Farley reinstated Fiedler as the township’s Northern Berks Regional Police commissioner, replacing Franke, who has 45 years of law enforcement experience.

Fiedler was on the commission before Franke, and during her tenure the police department nearly dissolved over her dispute with then-police chief R. Brian Horner. Horner has moved on.

In related matters Thursday, three candidates volunteered to replace Farley.

They were Joseph E. Rudderow, a former township supervisor; Josh Meck, who lost by 14 votes to Farley; and resident Carl Weston.

All were directed to submit letters of interest and resumes within two weeks.

The board also voted 2-0 to pay $6,000 to the Albright College Center for Excellence in Government to assist the township in a search for a new manager.