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Local News Article

Appointments Create Controversy in Marlborough

Written by Jennifer Butler Kirkwood
2013-01-10

Things got heated for the second month in a row for Marlborough supervisors and residents Monday night. With the stridently contested International Property Maintenance Code enacted last month, debate this month focused on appointments for 2013 township operations.

Discord began when Supervisor Brian Doremus opposed the motion to appoint Joan Smith as chairperson with Charles Walter as vice chair. Doremus had previously nominated Walter as chairperson but Walter declined that nomination.

Doremus did not dispute the appointment of any salaried staff or of Marlborough Police Officer Ted Baird as emergency management coordinator (EMC) and Ray Fluck as assistant EMC. Doremus did, however, question the board’s decision to leave the township fire marshal position vacant. According to Smith, no position description or certifications exist for fire marshal.

“It is a matter of our liability,” Smith said. “We can’t ask people to do things that they are not qualified for that might put us in a difficult position.”

Barry Doremus served as fire marshal for the township through December 30, 2102. Smith informed Supervisor Brian Doremus he could not vote on the motion to leave the position vacant. Doremus, however, verbally opposed the motion.

“This has been a recognized position in this township for I can’t even remember how many years,” Doremus countered. “I don’t understand what the problem is.”

Smith then asked for a single motion to reappoint all professional services from 2012 for another 2013 term. Doremus answered by making his own motion to replace Marc Jonas as township solicitor with Mark Cappucio. Both come from the firm Eastburn & Gray, PC in Blue Bell. Doremus’ motion failed for lack of a second and was followed by Walters’ motion to appoint all professional services as stated by Smith.

“They have all served us this past year so I second that,” Smith said of the motion.

Doremus also opposed the appointment of Joy Leach to the vacancy board and Township Manager Eleanor Sadorf to the sewer authority. After the nomination for the sewer authority vacancy was made by Walter, Doremus attempted to make a second nomination but was informed by Smith he could not as a nomination was on the table.

Doremus then attempted to nominate Fran Hanney and Robert Sheldon together for the township planning commission but was asked by Smith to make separate nominations. Doremus questioned the change as multiple appointments were made through single nominations earlier in the meeting.

“That was my mistake,” Smith said before calling for separate votes.

The board voted Hanney for another term but then voted Erik Tielemans to replace Sheldon. Doremus opposed Tielemans’ appointment.

Doremus nominated Frank McCauley to continue on the zoning hearing board. McCauley’s term expired on December 31, 2012. Smith, however, nominated John Hasson, who has been serving as an alternate. The motion passed to appoint Hasson by a vote of 2 to 1 with Doremus again opposing.

During the public comment period, Clare Reihman read a prepared statement regarding the enactment of the township’s version of the International Property Maintenance Code, asking that supervisors to define the specifics of the code more clearly.

“We should not have to wait for notice of violation to find out which sections of the code we are expected to follow,” Reihman stated.

Prior to the organizational meeting, District Justice Catherine Hummel-Fried swore in Darren Morgan as Chief of Police of the Marlborough Township Police Department. Morgan’s family and colleagues were present.

“I just want to thank everyone for their support,” Morgan said. “It’s been overwhelming and very humbling.”

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