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Salem Township approves $171,198 in monthly bills as residents press for solicitor billing transparency
Summary
Supervisors approved $171,198.01 in September expenditures while residents asked for written billing procedures and line‑item invoices after a $7,000 solicitor bill drew questions; Planning Chair said developers sometimes contact the solicitor directly.
The Salem Township Board voted unanimously Sept. 18 to approve the month’s expenditures totaling $171,198.01, while several residents used the meeting to press for more transparency around the township solicitor’s invoices.
The approved payments covered the General Fund ($44,476.58), Payroll ($43,615.59), Liquid Fuels ($71,021.88), Sewer Revenue ($11,470.00), Street Lights and Machinery. The board recorded the expenditures as paid after a motion by Supervisor Ken Trumbetta and a second by Kerry Jobe.
During the same agenda item, resident Tom Ridella questioned a $7,000 invoice from Solicitor Falatovich and asked supervisors to explain the specific charges and to adopt written billing procedures. Ridella said supervisors should know what they are paying for. Resident Matt Rebitch asked whether the township might be overbilled for nonessential items. Planning Commission Chair Connie Mattei responded that developers and surveyors have sometimes gone directly to Solicitor Falatovich rather than through township staff and recommended updated fee procedures and clearer invoicing so the township can escrow review fees when appropriate.
Resident Ed Rebitch suggested posting invoices online and using billing software with 15‑minute increments to increase transparency. The board did not change its vote on expenditures that night.
Next steps: supervisors indicated they would pursue clearer fee procedures and consider ways to provide more detailed billing information to the public.
