Despite his resignation from the New Hanover Board of Supervisors last month, Ralph Fluharty was still a vocal member of Monday's meeting, asking that reports related to contaminated ground water in the township be made publicly available.

                Fluharty spoke during the public comment period about the groundwater contamination at the HOFF site. The site is connected to the former Good Oil property along Route 663 north of Hoffmansville Road. The site and contamination are especially contentious because of efforts to quarry in the same region.

                The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) discovered that the underground tanks on the property were leaking and made the information public in 2011. At that time, the DEP declared that all the wells in the area were contaminated and started distributing bottled water to residents and businesses.

                A public water line was installed in 2015 for residents of the affected area. But Fluharty pushed the board for additional information about remediation efforts.

                "What, if anything, is the township doing to remedy this situation?" Fluharty asked the board.

                Supervisor Chair Philip Agliano said that DEP is in charge of the project and the township is waiting for them to act.  DEP has not yet provided the township with a solution to the problem.

                Ross Snook, a township resident and retired geologist, said a DEP representative is "still testing the wells."  Snook, who has been in communication with DEP about the site, was employed by the township as a consultant, but no longer holds that position. The testing has been going on for more a year since the last meeting with DEP, according to Fluharty and Celeste Bish, chair of Paradise Watchdogs/Ban the Quarry.

                Fluharty requested that the board make public any reports, including contaminant level readings, at each month's supervisor's meeting.

                Agliano replied that he hasn't seen any updated reports; Bish countered that she had viewed reports made available when the former township manager was in office. Snook also stated that all reports were and are to be sent to the township manager and the latest one was sent a week ago.

                Agliano instructed the current interim manager to investigate. Vice Chair Andrew Kelly spoke in support of Fluharty's recommendation that reports be made public monthly, or whenever they become available.

                Also at Monday's meeting, the board appointed resident Kurt Zebrowski to carry out the remainder of Fluharty's term as supervisor, which expires in 2017.  Zebrowski has been a township resident since 1998 and has served on the planning commission for at least eight years, with terms from 2002 to 2008, and again in 2014.

                 Zebrowski also serves on the Pottstown Regional Planning Commission – a position he's held since the commission's inception in 2001. Zebrowski's philosophy is that "residents should take an active role in local government."

                The board noted that there were 10 applicants for the position.  Six applicants were interviewed at a special meeting on Aug. 10, and the balance at Monday's meeting.  However, three of the four remaining applicants didn't show up for the interviews.

                Officials also approved the appointment of Supervisor Charles Garner as the new township secretary to fill that position, also vacated by Fluharty.

                In the search for a new township manager, Garner reported that 11 resumes for the position have been received to date.  He expects to receive more by the Sept. 3 deadline. Both Garner and Kelly are on the screening committee. The township hired David Woglam of the Meyner Center for Local Government at Lafayette College as consultant for hiring the new manager.

                Also at Monday's meeting, supervisors presented a proclamation to Eagle Scout Brandon Robert Karcewski, for his project for the installation of a porch swing at Hickory Park. Recreation Department Head Connie Garner announced that this year's Fall Frolic will be Sept. 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at Hickory Park. The rain date is Sept. 11.