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Supervisors discuss public-notice costs and pledge transparency amid Open Records Week
Summary
During Open Records Week, Harborcreek supervisors highlighted frequent open-records requests and questioned the cost and effectiveness of mandated newspaper publication for public notices, saying they are pursuing legislative changes through PSATS to permit alternative notice methods.
The chair used Open Records Week to emphasize the township's record-keeping practices and frequent responses to open-records requests, saying staff generally provide records quickly and without charge.
He and another supervisor raised concerns about the statutory requirement to publish certain public notices in a newspaper of circulation (the Erie Times), noting that mandated newspaper notices are expensive and may not reach the most residents. "We spent tens of thousands of dollars in public notices that were required," the chair said, and the township is working with the state association (PSATS) on legislative efforts to allow alternative, less costly notice methods.
Resident Vicky Roberts returned to the microphone to praise the township's openness and said that much information is readily available on the township website, advising supervisors not to take criticisms of other municipalities personally. The board said it values transparency while exploring options to reduce costs and increase effectiveness of public notices.
