A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the decision to hire PKF O’Connor Davis as the township’s new audit firm. Council members sought reassurance about the firm’s credibility and the rationale for the transition from the previous auditor, who served the township for nine years. Council members expressed interest in the implications of auditor rotation, with guidance provided that changing auditors every five years is a recommended practice by the Government Finance Officers Association to maintain efficiency and accountability. The council unanimously approved the motion to hire PKF O’Connor, following a discussion that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in financial audits.

Alongside the auditor transition, the council was confronted with the issue of unpaid Verizon bills totaling $250,000, which had gone unsettled due to the departure of the responsible administrator. Council members expressed concerns about the internal controls that allowed such a backlog to occur. The council agreed on the importance of addressing these financial obligations to maintain the township’s operations and sought clarification on measures to prevent future occurrences.

The council also deliberated on a proposed vehicle leasing program to modernize the police department’s fleet. The proposal involves leasing vehicles through a national cooperative purchasing agreement, allowing for the turnover of the fleet every five years. The leasing program aims to replace older, high-maintenance vehicles with newer models, thereby increasing operational efficiency and reducing long-term costs. Council members raised questions about the scope of the leasing arrangement, focusing on high-usage patrol vehicles, and the potential long-term financial implications.

Additionally, the council debated the implications of pay-to-play laws and the authority of the qualified purchasing agent (QPA) in contract approvals. Concerns were voiced over the transparency of financial transactions and the potential for council members to remain uninformed about contracts below the $53,000 threshold until after payments were made. This led to a proposal to lower the threshold to $30,000 to ensure greater oversight. The council voted to table the discussion for further examination.

In a separate discussion, the council considered a resolution to determine whether the property on Miller Street is in need of rehabilitation. The township had purchased this property, which includes three affordable units, to preserve its affordability status after the previous owner decided to sell. The council debated the best approach to maintaining these units, weighing the benefits of a rehabilitation designation, which would provide greater control over the sale process and allow for negotiations to include affordability requirements. Council members stressed the importance of preserving the historical character of the property, as Miller Street is recognized as a historic area.