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Marple finance director warns of collections push, board approves $2.36 million in April disbursements
Summary
Finance Director Christine McMenemin told the board she will turn unpaid sewer and refuse balances of $500+ to collector Portnoff and asked approval of $2,357,256.49 in April disbursements; commissioners also discussed pursuing a single tax bill for utilities.
Finance Director Christine McMenemin asked the Marple Township Board of Commissioners on May 11 to approve April disbursements totaling $2,357,256.49 and outlined steps to improve collections for unpaid sewer and refuse accounts.
McMenemin said the April payments include trade vendor invoices, roughly $1.4 million in monthly payroll and about $900,000 for payroll taxes, plus approximately $55,000 for long-term debt and contractual obligations. "I'm requesting the Board of Commissioners approve April's monthly disbursements totaling $2,357,256.49," she said.
McMenemin also reminded eligible seniors they can receive a 20% discount on township refuse and sewer bills if they qualify for the Pennsylvania property tax/rent rebate and pay those bills in full. She warned that, to address persistent delinquencies, the township will turn over prior-year sewer and refuse balances of $500 or greater to third‑party collector Portnoff by May 15. "Once Portnoff gets the balance, then they tack on liens and fees and your balance can accrue significantly," she said.
Several commissioners discussed whether consolidating sewer and refuse with the township real-estate tax bill would raise collections. Michael Molyneux supported the idea and asked the solicitor to prepare an ordinance for consideration at a future meeting. "I really think we should move forward with the one tax bill," Molyneux said.
McMenemin additionally reported that the township received $682,031.24 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in liquid fuels funding, a slight decrease from the prior year, and that the funds will be used for the road program, street lighting, traffic signal repairs and snow‑removal materials.
The board approved the April disbursement report by motion (moved by John Lucas, seconded by Bob Knapp) during the regular meeting vote. That vote appears in the meeting record as a formal action approving the register.
Next steps: commissioners asked staff and the solicitor to draft any ordinance language for a combined billing option for consideration and public comment at a future meeting.
