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East Rockhill residents press board over quarry litigation costs as supervisors approve bills and bank note
Summary
Residents questioned supervisors about Rock Hill Quarry litigation expenses and recent tax increases as the board approved $301,310.60 in bills, acknowledged pension MMO materials and accepted a seven-year bank note proposal up to $250,000 at 2.95%.
East Rockhill Township supervisors faced pointed public questions about the cost of ongoing litigation over the Rock Hill Quarry during their Sept. 24, 2019 meeting, while formally approving routine payments and a bank note proposal.
John Rice, the township solicitor, told the board that the township has two appeals pending with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and that the quarry property is under a DEP cessation order while naturally occurring asbestos is investigated. "Only thing stopping [the] Quarry from operating is DEP not appeals," Rice said, and he said the township would not discuss litigation strategy publicly. Resident Todd Hippauff had opened the line of questioning by asking for clarification on DEP stays posted to the township website.
Why it matters: Litigation costs and permitting status affect the township’s budget and reserve planning. At the meeting Vice-Chair David Nyman said revenues were at about 62% of the year while expenses were at about 78%, that a two-mill tax increase would raise roughly $150,000, and that $186,000 had been expended in 2019 to date related to the Rock Hill Quarry. Resident Josh Scheider raised those figures during the second public comment period and asked how they factored into the 2020 preliminary budget.
The board approved a Bills List dated Sept. 20, 2019 in the amount of $301,310.60 on a motion by David Nyman, seconded by Gary Volovnik, with all present voting in favor. The supervisors also acknowledged receipt of the 2020 Minimum Municipal Obligation materials for township pension plans presented by Marianne Morano, the township manager.
On the solicitor’s recommendation the board accepted a General Obligation Note proposal from Quakertown National Bank for up to $250,000 over seven years at 2.95 percent, on a motion by Nyman and second by Volovnik. The township characterized some debt-funded projects as separate from the general fund; staff explained that the proposed municipal building project would be paid from capital improvement, building debt and capital reserve funds rather than the general fund, which prompted further public questions about the relationship between project funding sources and property taxes.
Board members said they are conserving township resources while revised quarry permits are anticipated and that publicly discussing litigation details would not aid the township’s case. The meeting was adjourned into executive session for litigation and real estate matters at 7:57 p.m.
The township provided no trial date for pending litigation during the meeting and did not provide a breakdown of the $186,000 figure beyond what was stated in public comment; those amounts were described by a supervisor during public comment as the amount expended to date in 2019 for quarry-related matters.
