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Board authorizes RFP for township solicitor after contentious public comment; motion passes 2–1
Summary
Worcester Township supervisors authorized a request for proposals for a township solicitor after residents raised transparency concerns and urged the board to consider retaining the incumbent to complete ongoing litigation; the motion passed 2–1.
At its Feb. 18 meeting, the Worcester Township Board of Supervisors voted 2–1 to authorize the township manager to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for township solicitor services after extended public comment and questions about continuity on ongoing litigation.
The motion to authorize an RFP was made and seconded during the official actions portion of the meeting. Multiple residents spoke during public comment: some said RFPs help keep providers competitive and asked that respondents identify who would attend and staff meetings; others urged the board to retain the current solicitor to finish a long-running case at 1616 Whitehall Road if a change is made. One resident asked that firms identify the specific attorney who would sit in the solicitor chair at board meetings and disclose how many municipal clients the firm serves, so the township can evaluate whether it would receive individual attention.
Legal counsel Wendy McKenna noted that the board had earlier met in executive session to review threatened litigation related to alleged Sunshine Act concerns and recommended placing two items on the agenda for action; she also cautioned about appropriate boundaries between the board and independent quasi-judicial bodies.
The public exchange included pointed questions about whether private communications had influenced agenda items and requests to preserve records (emails, texts, social media). The board acknowledged the concerns and the manager offered to research specific questions about past communications and any naming or purchase restrictions tied to township property.
The board voted to authorize the RFP; the motion passed by a two-to-one voice vote. The motion’s language authorized the township manager to seek proposals for solicitor services; the board did not appoint a replacement solicitor at the meeting.
What’s next: Staff will prepare and publish the RFP; residents who raised concerns said they will submit written questions and monitor the procurement process.
