Posted on August 16, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Railroad Township officials will keep the same salaries for another year. A 2018 salary resolution was approved last week by the township board.
Trustee Mandy Thomason will continue to get $12,020 a year. Trustee Clerk Sarah Gillard makes $5,459. Board members Gus Eckert, Clarence Gehrke, and Mike Lawecki each receive $750 a year.
Showing posts with label Railroad Township Advisory Board. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Railroad Township Advisory Board. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Railroad Township Advisory Board to Re-Do School Board Appointment
Posted on June 28, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Railroad Township Advisory Board will meet again tomorrow (Thursday) night to appoint a North Judson-San Pierre School Board member.
Members met last week for that purpose, but deliberated and voted privately before announcing their choice of Susan McCormack to fill the seat being vacated by school board president Pat Goin.
Taking a vote in private is against the law, which is why the appointment needs to be redone.
Cassandra Hine, Megan Korous and Deb Wappel also sought appointment to the school board.
Tomorrow’s meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the old San Pierre School.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Railroad Township Advisory Board will meet again tomorrow (Thursday) night to appoint a North Judson-San Pierre School Board member.
Members met last week for that purpose, but deliberated and voted privately before announcing their choice of Susan McCormack to fill the seat being vacated by school board president Pat Goin.
Taking a vote in private is against the law, which is why the appointment needs to be redone.
Cassandra Hine, Megan Korous and Deb Wappel also sought appointment to the school board.
Tomorrow’s meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the old San Pierre School.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Railroad Township Advisory Board Votes Privately on School Board Member
Posted on June 21, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Railroad Township Advisory Board chose a North Judson-San Pierre school board member last night, but there are questions about how the process was handled.
Advisory board members selected Susan McCormack to replace outgoing board president Pat Goin, who did not seek reappointment.
However, they did not take the vote in a public meeting, as required by state law. Instead, they recessed, went next door to discuss the four candidates, came back and announced their selection.
When audience members objected, the advisory board president defended their action and said they would redo the vote if necessary, but for now McCormack’s appointment stands.
She previously served on the LaPorte School Board.
Cassandra Hine, Megan Korous and Deb Wappel also sought appointment to the school board.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Railroad Township Advisory Board chose a North Judson-San Pierre school board member last night, but there are questions about how the process was handled.
Advisory board members selected Susan McCormack to replace outgoing board president Pat Goin, who did not seek reappointment.
However, they did not take the vote in a public meeting, as required by state law. Instead, they recessed, went next door to discuss the four candidates, came back and announced their selection.
When audience members objected, the advisory board president defended their action and said they would redo the vote if necessary, but for now McCormack’s appointment stands.
She previously served on the LaPorte School Board.
Cassandra Hine, Megan Korous and Deb Wappel also sought appointment to the school board.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Lawsuit Filed Against Railroad Township Trustee, Advisory Board Member
Posted on December 28, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
A lawsuit filed on behalf of three Railroad Township advisory board members against the township trustee secretary claims the Dec. 15 meeting in which the trustee announced plans to abolish the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department violated the state’s Open Door Law.
The suit claims Trustee Mandy Thomason and board member Michael Lawecki were in attendance at the meeting, but advisory board President Clarence Gehrke and member August Eckert were not notified in advance. Thomason announced via Facebook the day of the meeting that a session was taking place “regarding the status of fire protection in Railroad Township.”
The suit notes a special township advisory board meeting may be held if the Trustee, chairman of the legislative body or a majority of the members issue a written notice of the meeting to each member of the legislative body. Such a notice must state the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
The state’s Open Door Law also requires notice of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting be posted at the legislative body’s principal office, which in this case is the San Pierre Fire Station, or at the building where the meeting took place. The lawsuit contends the location of the Dec. 15th meeting is not currently known to the plaintiff.
State law provides for the filing of a declaratory judgment to declare void any policy, decision or final action taken during a meeting for which proper legal notice was not provided.
During the Dec. 15 meeting, Thomason announced a new plan for fire protection in Railroad Township. The proposed “restructuring” of the San Pierre Fire Department, Inc. to create the “Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. The suit contends that action pertained directly to official Railroad Township business.
State law also requires any fire protection plan of a township trustee to be approved by that township’s legislative body. The suit states “A township trustee has no statutory authority to unilaterally act on fire protection matters.”
The suit also contends there was not a quorum of the township’s legislative body present during the Dec. 15th meeting. Only one advisory board member was in attendance, and two are required to meet that requirement.
Also, the trustee is required to obtain the township board’s approval before expending funds on fire protection services and equipment, according to the lawsuit. It contends the trustee has failed to obtain said approval for the funding of the new entity.
State law also sets checks and balances between the trustee and advisory board for the purchasing of fire protection equipment and employing full or part-time personnel to staff a department. According to the lawsuit, “The Trustee lacks the express statutory authority to incorporate a Township’s volunteer fire department and to run same on behalf of the Township.”
The lawsuit notes a quorum of the township advisory board passed a resolution during a special called Dec. 21 meeting stating the board rejects fire protection services provided by any other entity than the San Pierre Fire Department and directed the Trustee to present them with a contract for consideration and approval during a scheduled Dec. 30 special meeting. The suit claims the trustee has yet to provide a contract to the advisory board.
View a copy of the railroad-township-lawsuit by clicking the attached link.
Editor’s note: The Railroad Township Trustee also has a Township Trustee Clerk, who receives a salary from the township and is responsible for taking minutes for the trustee. She is not named in the lawsuit.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
A lawsuit filed on behalf of three Railroad Township advisory board members against the township trustee secretary claims the Dec. 15 meeting in which the trustee announced plans to abolish the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department violated the state’s Open Door Law.
The suit claims Trustee Mandy Thomason and board member Michael Lawecki were in attendance at the meeting, but advisory board President Clarence Gehrke and member August Eckert were not notified in advance. Thomason announced via Facebook the day of the meeting that a session was taking place “regarding the status of fire protection in Railroad Township.”
The suit notes a special township advisory board meeting may be held if the Trustee, chairman of the legislative body or a majority of the members issue a written notice of the meeting to each member of the legislative body. Such a notice must state the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
The state’s Open Door Law also requires notice of at least 48 hours prior to the meeting be posted at the legislative body’s principal office, which in this case is the San Pierre Fire Station, or at the building where the meeting took place. The lawsuit contends the location of the Dec. 15th meeting is not currently known to the plaintiff.
State law provides for the filing of a declaratory judgment to declare void any policy, decision or final action taken during a meeting for which proper legal notice was not provided.
During the Dec. 15 meeting, Thomason announced a new plan for fire protection in Railroad Township. The proposed “restructuring” of the San Pierre Fire Department, Inc. to create the “Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. The suit contends that action pertained directly to official Railroad Township business.
State law also requires any fire protection plan of a township trustee to be approved by that township’s legislative body. The suit states “A township trustee has no statutory authority to unilaterally act on fire protection matters.”
The suit also contends there was not a quorum of the township’s legislative body present during the Dec. 15th meeting. Only one advisory board member was in attendance, and two are required to meet that requirement.
Also, the trustee is required to obtain the township board’s approval before expending funds on fire protection services and equipment, according to the lawsuit. It contends the trustee has failed to obtain said approval for the funding of the new entity.
State law also sets checks and balances between the trustee and advisory board for the purchasing of fire protection equipment and employing full or part-time personnel to staff a department. According to the lawsuit, “The Trustee lacks the express statutory authority to incorporate a Township’s volunteer fire department and to run same on behalf of the Township.”
The lawsuit notes a quorum of the township advisory board passed a resolution during a special called Dec. 21 meeting stating the board rejects fire protection services provided by any other entity than the San Pierre Fire Department and directed the Trustee to present them with a contract for consideration and approval during a scheduled Dec. 30 special meeting. The suit claims the trustee has yet to provide a contract to the advisory board.
View a copy of the railroad-township-lawsuit by clicking the attached link.
Editor’s note: The Railroad Township Trustee also has a Township Trustee Clerk, who receives a salary from the township and is responsible for taking minutes for the trustee. She is not named in the lawsuit.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Railroad Township Negotiations May be Influenced by State Statute
Posted on November 2, 2016
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
Conflicting perspectives have set Railroad Township on edge, but state statute may ultimately settle the matter of a contract with volunteer firefighters.
Following a short meeting last Wednesday, the Railroad Township Board voted down a 2017 contract proposal with the fire department on a 2-1 vote. Sources close to the situation said the contract was in need of further discussion after the township trustee again proposed financial oversight of the San Pierre-Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Attorney Stephen Buschmann with Thrasher Buschmann & Voelkel, P.C. represents Township Trustee Mandy Thomason, and acts as general counsel for the Indiana Township Association. He says requiring financial oversight in contracts between the township and the fire department is seen in contracts throughout the state.
“It is not un-normal for townships, the trustee, and the board to have financial information on how the department is using taxpayer money to make sure it’s spent right and, quite frankly, to make sure you’re budgeting properly in future years,” says Buschmann.
This counters statements made by sources close to the situation that the trustee may not have the authority to oversee the fire department’s financial records.
One source says the Railroad Township Board may attempt to push adoption of the 2017 contract into the New Year to prevent financial reporting to the trustee from continuing. Financial reports have been a point of tension between the township and the fire department, recently. Buschmann has issued letters to the township government alleging contract violations have taken place. Some have since been corrected.
Despite the current 2016 contract, Buschmann says there is not a statutory requirement that the information be shared with the township.
“They could be subject to audit by the State Board of Accounts so the State Board of Accounts will get it,” says Buschmann. “So it’s clearly a best practice.”
Even without a contract, the fire department is still expected to provide firefighting and emergency services in the area.
Following their down vote of the contract last week, the Railroad Township Board advised they would be sitting down with the trustee and the fire department as a group to assess the disagreements and come up with a solution.
Buschmann says that those meetings with the board and the fire department may also not be allowable. According to state statute, the trustee may contract with the volunteers and present it for adoption to the board, but the board itself may not negotiate the contract.
“It would be just like the general assembly trying to take over the executive branch of government,” says Buschmann. “Can’t do it.”
A new contract proposal is expected to come forward in the coming weeks. The fire department says they are working to understand the alleged violations and will work to communicate their contract issues in future meetings.
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
Conflicting perspectives have set Railroad Township on edge, but state statute may ultimately settle the matter of a contract with volunteer firefighters.
Following a short meeting last Wednesday, the Railroad Township Board voted down a 2017 contract proposal with the fire department on a 2-1 vote. Sources close to the situation said the contract was in need of further discussion after the township trustee again proposed financial oversight of the San Pierre-Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Attorney Stephen Buschmann with Thrasher Buschmann & Voelkel, P.C. represents Township Trustee Mandy Thomason, and acts as general counsel for the Indiana Township Association. He says requiring financial oversight in contracts between the township and the fire department is seen in contracts throughout the state.
“It is not un-normal for townships, the trustee, and the board to have financial information on how the department is using taxpayer money to make sure it’s spent right and, quite frankly, to make sure you’re budgeting properly in future years,” says Buschmann.
This counters statements made by sources close to the situation that the trustee may not have the authority to oversee the fire department’s financial records.
One source says the Railroad Township Board may attempt to push adoption of the 2017 contract into the New Year to prevent financial reporting to the trustee from continuing. Financial reports have been a point of tension between the township and the fire department, recently. Buschmann has issued letters to the township government alleging contract violations have taken place. Some have since been corrected.
Despite the current 2016 contract, Buschmann says there is not a statutory requirement that the information be shared with the township.
“They could be subject to audit by the State Board of Accounts so the State Board of Accounts will get it,” says Buschmann. “So it’s clearly a best practice.”
Even without a contract, the fire department is still expected to provide firefighting and emergency services in the area.
Following their down vote of the contract last week, the Railroad Township Board advised they would be sitting down with the trustee and the fire department as a group to assess the disagreements and come up with a solution.
Buschmann says that those meetings with the board and the fire department may also not be allowable. According to state statute, the trustee may contract with the volunteers and present it for adoption to the board, but the board itself may not negotiate the contract.
“It would be just like the general assembly trying to take over the executive branch of government,” says Buschmann. “Can’t do it.”
A new contract proposal is expected to come forward in the coming weeks. The fire department says they are working to understand the alleged violations and will work to communicate their contract issues in future meetings.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Railroad Township Votes Down Firefighter Contract, Future Discussions Planned
Posted on October 28, 2016
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
Railroad Township has some extra work to do before adopting a contract with its fire department.
During a meeting Wednesday night, the agreement between the fire department and the township was considered for approval. The Township Advisory Board, however, was concerned with some of the language in the contract.
While overcoming volume and hearing problems at this week’s meeting, Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason explained how the process worked.
“The fire department has been in breach of contract for a while,” Thomason said. “They handed over paperwork and the board was just deciding whether it was sufficient or not.”
Thomason referred questions about the contract talks and what the document packet entails to her attorney. He did not respond to requests for comment.
The 2016 contract contains provisions the fire department hand over its financial records for review by the trustee. Sources close to the situation say the packet included the department’s financial records and a letter from an attorney stating that the firefighters had insufficiently reported them to be in compliance with the township’s 12-5 form. The Advisory Board accepted the packet, nonetheless.
Members proceeded to consider a newly proposed contract with the fire department for 2017. The previous year’s agreement is usually in effect until December 31st with reconsideration of the terms each year. Board members didn’t take long to reject the proposal on a 2-1 vote.
Fire department members plan to discuss the contract amongst themselves, but will also meet with the township advisory board to review ideas. The matter will come back for a future vote.
San Pierre/Railroad Township Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski tells WKVI News he needs more information on the alleged contract violations.
“I asked the trustee and the board about what the violations were and they gave me no answer,” says Kryzyzanowski.
Sources say the fire department is a separate entity, and that the Railroad Township trustee should be disallowed from reviewing the fire department’s financial records, calling the current setup “unusual”. Rumors regarding the trustees’ reasons for the financial review have circulated, but Thomason has said she will not comment on the matter.
Heated exchanges were confirmed following Wednesday’s Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. Deputies with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department were present to ensure safety and civility. Reports of arrests and violence were deemed untrue by multiple sources.
Kryzyzanowski says the meetings will be needed to review the disagreements.
“Basically it can be ironed out if we can just sit down and talk about it, but that hasn’t come about yet,” says Kryzyzanowski.
The fire department and the advisory board will meet in the next couple of weeks before taking the contract to another vote.
At least one official said the board may look to discontinue contract adoption until the end of the year to prevent future financial records from being reviewed into 2017.
Author Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
Railroad Township has some extra work to do before adopting a contract with its fire department.
During a meeting Wednesday night, the agreement between the fire department and the township was considered for approval. The Township Advisory Board, however, was concerned with some of the language in the contract.
While overcoming volume and hearing problems at this week’s meeting, Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason explained how the process worked.
“The fire department has been in breach of contract for a while,” Thomason said. “They handed over paperwork and the board was just deciding whether it was sufficient or not.”
Thomason referred questions about the contract talks and what the document packet entails to her attorney. He did not respond to requests for comment.
The 2016 contract contains provisions the fire department hand over its financial records for review by the trustee. Sources close to the situation say the packet included the department’s financial records and a letter from an attorney stating that the firefighters had insufficiently reported them to be in compliance with the township’s 12-5 form. The Advisory Board accepted the packet, nonetheless.
Members proceeded to consider a newly proposed contract with the fire department for 2017. The previous year’s agreement is usually in effect until December 31st with reconsideration of the terms each year. Board members didn’t take long to reject the proposal on a 2-1 vote.
Fire department members plan to discuss the contract amongst themselves, but will also meet with the township advisory board to review ideas. The matter will come back for a future vote.
San Pierre/Railroad Township Fire Chief Joe Kryzyzanowski tells WKVI News he needs more information on the alleged contract violations.
“I asked the trustee and the board about what the violations were and they gave me no answer,” says Kryzyzanowski.
Sources say the fire department is a separate entity, and that the Railroad Township trustee should be disallowed from reviewing the fire department’s financial records, calling the current setup “unusual”. Rumors regarding the trustees’ reasons for the financial review have circulated, but Thomason has said she will not comment on the matter.
Heated exchanges were confirmed following Wednesday’s Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. Deputies with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department were present to ensure safety and civility. Reports of arrests and violence were deemed untrue by multiple sources.
Kryzyzanowski says the meetings will be needed to review the disagreements.
“Basically it can be ironed out if we can just sit down and talk about it, but that hasn’t come about yet,” says Kryzyzanowski.
The fire department and the advisory board will meet in the next couple of weeks before taking the contract to another vote.
At least one official said the board may look to discontinue contract adoption until the end of the year to prevent future financial records from being reviewed into 2017.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Railroad Township Questioned on School Board Appointment Process
Posted on September 8, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The process of appointing North Judson-San Pierre School Board members was discussed during Wednesday’s Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. School officials, as well as local residents, are considering whether the appointed school board should be changed to an elected one.
As part of that process, Larry and Deb Wappel approached the Railroad Township Advisory Board to learn more about how it goes about appointing school board members. Advisory board member Gus Eckert said the process is pretty simple. “We vote on them,” he said. “Basically, when Pat [Goin] came up, there was a recommendation. I forget who even was going out at the time, and then we just voted on them and she was elected. And that’s the last we’ve ever had to do.” He adds that over the past several years, the township has simply reappointed Goin, since no one voiced any objections and no one else expressed interest in the seat.
The Wappels were concerned that the township didn’t do more to notify the public when the position would come up for reappointment. Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason says that will change when the seat is up for reappointment again next year. She says the township will advertise for a school board member, and the public will have a chance to offer input.
However, she adds that state law doesn’t seem to provide much guidance for how appointed school board members may be chosen, other than saying that the decision’s up to the township advisory board. “I’ve not read all of the Indiana codes; we will be following those to the T,” she said. “I don’t know if we can form a committee kind of to pick out three good candidates from a committee and then have the board approve from there. It will be something I’ll be looking into.” Thomason also pointed out that Railroad Township’s school board member also represents Cass Township, even though Cass Township residents have no say over who is elected to the Railroad Township Advisory Board.
While Deb Wappel clarified that she had no complaints about Goin’s service on the board, Wappel was more concerned about the appointment process itself. She says that under the current system, new school board members often end up being chosen by their predecessors on the board.
More information on the appointment process is expected at the October 5 Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. Meanwhile, the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will hold a public hearing on an appointed versus elected board Monday at 7 p.m. in the N.J.-S.P. High School auditorium.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The process of appointing North Judson-San Pierre School Board members was discussed during Wednesday’s Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. School officials, as well as local residents, are considering whether the appointed school board should be changed to an elected one.
As part of that process, Larry and Deb Wappel approached the Railroad Township Advisory Board to learn more about how it goes about appointing school board members. Advisory board member Gus Eckert said the process is pretty simple. “We vote on them,” he said. “Basically, when Pat [Goin] came up, there was a recommendation. I forget who even was going out at the time, and then we just voted on them and she was elected. And that’s the last we’ve ever had to do.” He adds that over the past several years, the township has simply reappointed Goin, since no one voiced any objections and no one else expressed interest in the seat.
The Wappels were concerned that the township didn’t do more to notify the public when the position would come up for reappointment. Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason says that will change when the seat is up for reappointment again next year. She says the township will advertise for a school board member, and the public will have a chance to offer input.
However, she adds that state law doesn’t seem to provide much guidance for how appointed school board members may be chosen, other than saying that the decision’s up to the township advisory board. “I’ve not read all of the Indiana codes; we will be following those to the T,” she said. “I don’t know if we can form a committee kind of to pick out three good candidates from a committee and then have the board approve from there. It will be something I’ll be looking into.” Thomason also pointed out that Railroad Township’s school board member also represents Cass Township, even though Cass Township residents have no say over who is elected to the Railroad Township Advisory Board.
While Deb Wappel clarified that she had no complaints about Goin’s service on the board, Wappel was more concerned about the appointment process itself. She says that under the current system, new school board members often end up being chosen by their predecessors on the board.
More information on the appointment process is expected at the October 5 Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. Meanwhile, the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will hold a public hearing on an appointed versus elected board Monday at 7 p.m. in the N.J.-S.P. High School auditorium.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
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