Four citizens group members sworn in as Donegal supervisors
Four members of a citizens group opposed to zoning in Donegal Township were sworn in as supervisors Tuesday night, then participated in their first meeting.
Zoning was not discussed.
Democrats Kathleen Wright Croft and Tammi Iams and Republicans Michael Smith and Ed Shingle Jr. – Donegal Freedom Group leaders and winners in the November election – joined the single holdover, Doug Teagarden, on the board. What had been a three-member panel expanded to five in the new year as the result of a 2016 referendum.
The new members were sworn in by District Justice Ethan Ward a half-hour before the special meeting began in the municipal building.
For two years, Donegal supervisors and the Freedom Group had been at loggerheads over zoning, which has never existed in a township that was incorporated in 1781. The board approved a zoning ordinance in August, but the citizens group has challenged the measure in Washington County Court. The ordinance has been sent back to the township planning commission.
Despite being on opposite sides of the issue, the new supervisors and Teagarden worked together fairly well Tuesday during a meeting that attracted a large audience – about 50. Some may have anticipated discord, and while there was a measure of it, peace mostly prevailed.
Efficiency did not, as the meeting lasted nearly four hours, including a 53-minute executive session (personnel matters). A number of agenda items were enshrouded by questions and uncertainty, ending in the board taking no action or advertising 30 days for certain positions.
Teagarden was upset early on that the supervisors were going to vote on Chris Furman, who was sitting with them, as the new solicitor. Furman has been representing the Freedom Group in court proceedings against the township.
“I’ve never had an attorney show before being hired,” Teagarden sniffed, before Furman was hired in a 4-1 vote.
Teagarden also wasn’t happy when another supervisor proposed “to dissolve the planning commission.” Following an extended discussion, that became a no-action item.
The zoning ordinance, which the new board is expected to try to dismantle, was not addressed.
Shingle was elected chairman, Smith vice chairman and Iams secretary of the board. Teagarden nominated each, and all were elected 4-0. Iams was selected to oversee the township office, including the water department; Croft to supervise police; and Shingle and Smith to oversee the road department.
The four new supervisors also agreed to forfeit their pay to help the township overcome a general fund shortfall.