Tensions surface over access to borough financial records as council member seeks bank statements

At the March 17 meeting a council member said she had requested a set of borough financial documents (loan paperwork, bank statements and road-program records) and was surprised when borough manager Jim Dillon instructed that account numbers be redacted before distribution.

"If you feel there has been some illegal activities, please contact the district attorney's office," the council member said she was told in an earlier exchange with the manager; she described Dillon's direction to redact account numbers as unexpected and said it delayed her access to information she considers part of her fiduciary oversight duties.

Solicitor and staff responses at the meeting emphasized routine redaction practices to protect account numbers from accidental public disclosure and noted that audits are performed by outside certified public accountants. The solicitor said redaction of account numbers is a common administrative precaution and that records would be provided.

Several council members urged improved communication and asked staff to prioritize assembling the requested financial materials and to CC council on planning and zoning submissions that affect approved projects. The manager and staff said they would pull the requested materials and work on a timeline for delivery.

The exchange illustrated an underlying governance tension between some newer council members seeking full access to records and staff processes designed to protect sensitive account information; council did not take formal disciplinary or investigatory action during the meeting.