EXETER TWP., Pa. — “We desperately need a forensic audit,” David Hughes told fellow Exeter Township supervisors at their meeting Monday night. No one disagreed, but there was a lot of discussion about what to audit and how to do it.
Chairman Carl Staples said: “We need to set parameters on what to watch and what it costs.”
Supervisor George Bell commented, “Get more specifics, and I might be in on it”, while Supervisor Dianna Reeser added, “We want details so we have a better idea of the costs in mind. “
As for what to audit, Hughes, a former auditor himself, said, “I would focus on where the big bucks are.”
“It’s not the Reading Country Club – it’s a million dollar operation,” he explained. “Look at the banks where we have over $40 million.”
Supervisor Michelle Kircher added that she “would like to see an audit of our legal fees over the past few years.”
At the end of the discussion, the supervisors asked Hughes to investigate potential companies to conduct the forensic audit.
country book club
Supervisors have cleared the purchase of a 7.5 tonne rooftop HVAC unit for Reading Country Club in the Whiskey Bar area from Blanski Energy Management Inc., Reading, for $15,325.
Supervisors approved the use of a $300,000 insurance claim related to the misuse of proceeds from the Reading Country Club bond to be applied to the Reading Country Club food and beverage fund. The total misused funds, which were to be used to improve capital assets at Reading Country Club, have been identified at $2.7 million.
In addition, supervisors have filed an action relating to an invoice for the Reading Country Club clubhouse to Exeter Township Parks and Recreation for the use of Reading Country Club for the Festival of Lights. Staples requested that more information be gathered to determine exactly how much the township should pay the club.
Supervisors discussed what action, if any, should be taken regarding missing Reading Country Club documents. The paper archives date from 2005 to 2008, preceding the computerization of municipal archives.
Staples summed up the frustration of supervisors trying to investigate a 14-year-old case, saying “How are we going to do this?”
It was decided to continue the discussion at the next meeting.
Electrical maintenance
Supervisors have approved a preliminary/final land development plan for Service Electric for a 9,000 square foot building addition as well as a second floor office expansion that will be used to store computer equipment.
Central Berks Regional Police
Central Berks Regional Police would like to construct a garage for evidence storage at the Antietam Valley Municipal Authority located on Butter Lane. Supervisors have agreed to waive the plan review requirements.
small acts of love
A Little Acts of Love waiver request for building permit fees for 1210 Broadway Avenue was approved by a 4-to-1 vote with Hughes opposed.
“The fee waiver is not part of our budget,” Hughes said. “It’s not about the money we give up; it’s about the precedent we set.”
Little Acts of Love provides free home repairs to low-income people age 60 or older who have a documented disability.
Land use plans
A time extension for a land development plan for 3901 Perkiomen Avenue has been granted because the applicant is awaiting approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. In addition, a time extension has been approved for the land development plan for a proposed commercial truck repair business at 6590 Sunset Manor Drive.
Public Works Items
The supervisors intervened on several points concerning public works. They authorized the purchase of two 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles at a cost of $61,500 each to replace three existing vehicles. Budgeted expenditures will be paid from the Equipment Fund. Also, the supervisors authorized the sale on Municibid of the township’s 2011 leaf vacuum cleaner.
Settlement of insurance claims
A final settlement of the insurance claim associated with repair costs at the Township of Exeter Wastewater Treatment Plant has been approved for a net amount of $921,898.77 for damaged equipment at the influent pumping and for claiming additional expenses for costs associated with temporary bypass pumping.
Hughes moved and the supervisors approved to use $175,000 of the funds to balance the general fund budget and apply the remainder to the food and beverage fund for Reading Country Club.
On the recommendation of Bell and Hughes, the sewage proceeds investment was approved to be placed in two scales of certificates of deposit of $15 million, 6 months and 9 months.
Special advice
In addition, attorneys MacMain, Connell & Leinhauser of West Chester have been approved to be hired as special counsel to provide additional legal services as required.