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Supervisors approve Danielsville Park advertising after debate over Rec Board authority
Summary
Lehigh Township supervisors approved an already-printed advertising sign payment for Danielsville Park while directing the Recreation Board to clarify its decision-making and communications after several supervisors said the board exceeded or failed to document its authority.
The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors voted April 8 to approve payment for three years of advertising signs at Danielsville Park after a prolonged debate over whether the Recreation Board had the authority to approve the signs and whether the decision had been adequately documented.
Chairman Mike Jones said the signs were approved by the Recreation Board in November and that the township will not pay for them; the program will generate revenue for park improvements. "This is not costing the Township any money," Jones said.
Supervisor Cindy Miller pushed back, citing the township ordinance that limits the Recreation Board’s authority to enter contracts or incur obligations beyond budget appropriations. Miller said she first learned of the signs by seeing a social-media post and questioned why the price—$1,000 for three years, or about $139 per year—had not been presented to the Supervisors in writing. "The ordinance on the Recreation Commission states that the Recreation Commission shall have no authority to enter into any contract or incur any obligation binding upon Lehigh Township other than current obligations or contracts to be fully executed within the then current fiscal year," Miller said.
Solicitor David Backenstoe said the question raised two issues: whether the Recreation Board needed Board authorization for this type of activity and whether there was a dispute among Recreation Board members about approval. "I don’t believe the Rec Board has to come to the Board of Supervisors and ask if they can sell signs on a baseball field that they maintain," Backenstoe said, but he also recommended the Recreation Board meet quickly to resolve internal disagreement.
Recreation Board member Sandy Hopkins said she was unaware of the advertised price until shortly before the meeting and that the signs were intended to mirror a program used by LTAA and to fund improvements such as gates and maintenance at Danielsville Park.
Board members pressed for clearer communication and documentation from the Recreation Board going forward. Supervisor Janet Sheats directed that the Recreation Board reconvene to reach a consensus and provide a clear advisory report to the Supervisors. The Board voted to approve Check 28635 (the sign expense) after confirming the funds had already been received and would be held in the Recreation Capital Account for park improvements.
The Board also debated Rec Board composition and disclosure: several Supervisors sit on the Recreation Board, and some members said that may create the appearance of an advantage in information and decision-making. The Supervisors suggested limiting the number of Supervisors serving on the advisory board and ensuring the Recreation Board’s meeting notes and recommendations are included in the Supervisors’ minutes.
The Board did not change the policy at the meeting; Supervisors instructed Recreation leadership to document decisions and recommended a more thorough advisory report when the board approves fundraising or improvements that affect multiple parks.
