MORRISDALE – During Friday’s Fall Clearfield County Convention of Township Officials, the members had the opportunity to possibly contribute to state law when six resolutions were proposed and two approved to be forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.
Holly Fishel, director of Research and Policy Development with PSATS, explained the process. She said when a county convention passes a resolution, that resolution is then passed on to her.
It is then rewritten to conform and meet the standardized format and then it is returned to the county convention officers for review.
If the officers agree with the wording, the resolution then goes before PSATS resolutions committee, which is made up of supervisors, secretaries, treasurers and managers from around the state.
The committee reviews the resolution and, if approved, PSATS then takes it to the spring state convention of township officials and, if approved there, it goes to the state General Assembly to be considered for legislation.
The resolutions were proposed to the resolution committee of the CCATO prior to being presented to the full convention.
The first resolution proposed was that a township supervisor may not vote themselves into a working supervisor position; however, the resolution died without a majority vote.
The second resolution was an amendment of the first and stated that a supervisor may not vote themselves into a working position if an employee would have to be removed to create the position.
Convention President Andy Rebar also noted that the situation is something that the state Labor Relations board would also be involved in. A majority voted in favor of the resolution, which will go before PSATS.
The third resolution also passed and stated that if an official is convicted or pleads guilty to a charge of theft or misconduct related to the township, they may not be elected or hold a position or be elected for six years.
Some members wanted the resolution changed from six years to life, but ultimately the resolution stood and also passed.
The fourth resolution was debated by the convention members prior to vote and stated that a supervisor, prior to holding a working position, must meet the requirements of the job, including holding certain qualifications. The resolution did not receive a majority vote.
The fifth resolution was to eliminate the position of vacancy chairman and instead create a vacancy board with three to five members, made up of township officials around the county and to not have more than two members serve from the same township. This also did not receive enough votes to pass.
The sixth resolution also received some debate. It was for townships that use a board of auditors and not a Certified Professional Accountant to do their annual audit.
Some officials raised concern that it is difficult enough to get people to serve in the position and requiring certifications would result in fewer people running for the positions.
The resolution was to require that the auditors have prior experience and have training and certification through PSATS. This resolution also did not receive enough votes to pass.
The meeting also included speakers from PSATS, the state Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest Bank and the county Tax Assessment Office. During the afternoon, the officials attended various workshops.
CCATO also recognized several members. Sheryl DeBoer for 38 years of service, Denise Dobo for over 30 years of service and Gayle Michael for 55 years of service.
The members also recognized and thanked association secretary Barb Shaffner for serving as secretary for 11 years. Shaffner is stepping down from the position.
