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Willistown supervisors reorganize for 2026, approve routine resolutions, equipment and vehicle purchases
Summary
At its Jan. 5 meeting the Willistown Board of Supervisors elected Molly H.B. Perrin chair and Matthew V. Mccarry vice chair, confirmed a slate of township officials and consultants, approved multiple resolutions and authorized purchases including a sewer grinder and several vehicles; public commenters raised concerns about concert enforcement and auditors.
Willistown supervisors held their annual reorganization meeting on Jan. 5, 2026, formalizing leadership and confirming a suite of township appointments, routine financial resolutions and equipment purchases.
Supervisor Molly H.B. Perrin was reappointed chair for calendar year 2026 and Matthew V. Mccarry was appointed vice chair; both motions passed unanimously, as did a later motion appointing Perrin temporary chair for the reorganization process. Judge Mackenzie W. Smith of the Court of Common Pleas administered oaths of office to newly elected officials, including Mccarry, tax collector Vanessa Babinecz and auditor Frank Martinsky.
The board approved a slate of township officers and consultant appointments—covering manager/secretary, police, finance, public works, engineering and legal services—and named consultant firms for engineering and legal work. It also appointed members to advisory boards: Susan Rosso, Kristin Dormuth and Keith Parsons to the Environmental Advisory Council; Dave Hopkins and Jody Vandergrift to the Historical Commission; Marie Quinn Johnson to the Open Space Review Board; Michael Boldin to Parks & Recreation; and David Geibel to the Police Pension Plan & OPEB Trust Fund Advisory Board. All appointments passed 3-0.
On financial and administrative matters, the board approved Resolution 1 of 2026 designating township depositories (TD Bank; Meridian; Santander; U.S. Bank; PLGIT; Univest; Victory Bank), Resolution 2 updating the fee schedule and consultant fees, Resolution 3 authorizing invoices and disbursements between meetings, and Resolution 4 reappointing Donald Mancini to the Zoning Hearing Board. The board also approved Resolution 6 appointing the CPA firm Maillie, LLP to replace the township auditors; Supervisor William R. Shoemaker noted the firm name on the record. Each of those measures passed unanimously.
The supervisors approved delegates to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) and accepted bonds: a Treasurer's Bond and a Township Manager's Bond, each in the amount of $2,800,000.
On personnel compensation, Supervisors Perrin and Shoemaker moved to waive their 2026 compensation; Supervisor Mccarry chose to accept his compensation and pledged the full amount to the Willistown Conservation Trust. Manager Shanna Lodge confirmed that township ordinance and state law limit supervisor monetary compensation and noted a statutory cap of $2,500 per year.
Operational purchases approved included a 'Muffin Monster' grinder for Sewer Station 4 at $43,696.69 and a set of vehicle purchases: a completely upfitted 2024 6500 dump truck from Hondru Chevy (final price $120,914.64 after a dealer discount), a 2026 Chevy 3500 HD pickup ($53,995.00), a pickup upfit from TP Trailer ($19,357.89) that includes a plow and spreader, and a 2026 Chevy Equinox ($30,500) intended for the township manager. Manager Lodge said the dealer extended prior-year discounts on the dump truck and that she will follow up with details on upfitting questions from residents. All purchases were approved 3-0.
Chief Jeffrey F. Heim delivered a police update expressing condolences for a fallen Delaware State Police officer and summarizing recent investigations into check and mail fraud, theft of holiday envelopes, a stolen vehicle, and an arrest tied to the Green Meadows Rehabilitation fire. Public commenter Joe Heenan thanked the department for its charitable work and warned that "internet scams are everywhere;" Chief Heim urged residents to do due diligence to protect personal data.
During public comment, Mike Kerr asked for a status update on lawsuits previously requested by Supervisor Perrin. Donna Walker alleged that township staff and bodies had applied the Willistown code inequitably in enforcement related to a White Manor Country Club concert and said a written complaint filed Dec. 11 had not been acknowledged; Supervisor Shoemaker said the issue is under advisement. Resident Louis Pettinos asked about the role of elected auditors after the CPA appointment; Supervisor Shoemaker and Manager Lodge explained that the CPA will perform the audit and elected auditors will review the resulting documents and retain certain statutory duties.
The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. The board set its next meeting for Jan. 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Willistown Township Administration Building.
