JAMES CITY — Tensions ran high at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Highland Township supervisors as Supervisor Glenn Hulings read the judge’s decision pertaining to the recent lawsuit brought against the township Home Rule Charter.
Part of the ruling read, “Declaratory judgment entered in favor of the (Department of Environmental Protection) against the respondents hereby rendering sections 401, 404, 405 and 410 of the Home Rule Charter void, unlawful and unenforceable.”
Following reading of the finding, Hulings opened the floor stating, “Would anybody like to discuss anything about it? We couldn’t discuss it before because it was pending litigation.”
Resident Tom Orzetti raised a question about the initial lawsuit and the consent decree issued by supervisors arguing that the judge didn’t have to rule since they had agreed, to which Hulings responded that the judge had issued an order in that case.
Another resident asked the supervisors what would happen if the water did become polluted? Supervisor Mike Detsch responded, “I don’t know, what’s going to happen when Seneca wins the lawsuit in damages?”
Hulings then added, “I guess my question to you guys is, What part of this do you not understand? There are three or four attorneys from Quinn law firm that have said these same portions of the charter are illegal, unenforceable and unconstitutional.”
From that point a tense exchange between several residents in attendance that helped launch the Home Rule Charter and Hulings ensued. Hulings said that several attorneys had pointed out the issues in the Home Rule Charter’s language and that although the majority of people voted it in, it still wasn’t viable.
“If it’s not going to stand up in court, it doesn’t matter how many people voted for it, you’re still going to lose,” stated Hulings with obvious frustration.
A resident responded, “We can’t talk to you like that you shouldn’t talk to us like that.”
Hulings went on stating, “I’ve heard Matt (Vaughn) question several times, and I heard his mother question several times, about the amount of money spent on an attorney. It seems to me that there were eight people that were on a Home Rule Charter commission … that knowingly wrote and submitted an unlawful, unenforceable charter.”
Matt Vaughn then spoke up replying, “Glenn, you keep on bringing it back to me. Basically, the difference between me and you is, I would tell the people and I would educate them on what was right or wrong. You always stand behind stating, we’re in ‘legal recourse’ or ‘duly noted’ or some other thing like that. You never told anyone what was going on, Glenn.”
“All you had to do”, stated Vaughn, “is get up here and use your power as a supervisor and get somebody in here that’s a little smarter than the rest of us and explain to us what’s going on.”
Hulings retorted that the supervisors had an attorney at one meeting but that it didn’t seem to make a difference. Hulings then went on to answer a few other questions before tensions again rose.
Resident Judy Orzetti spoke up about the laws pertaining to corporations, stating, “That is the federal law that we’re trying to change is the corporations are allowed to have a certain amount of collateral damage. Everyone of us is collateral damage in their eyes. That’s why we’re trying to change that federal law.”
Several opinions began to fly following this statement with someone accusing Hulings of talking over a resident voicing their concern and another calling for the state police to be called saying Hulings was out of order. At that point, Detsch took control and closed public comment to avoid further arguments.
Following this, the supervisor’s resumed normal meeting discussions including an upcoming clean up day scheduled for June 3rd from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with roll-off’s located at the township building only this year to avoid the possibility of people disposing of electronics or tires in dumpsters as these are considered special wastes. Resident Sally Peterson suggested that instead of paying someone to supervise the waste drop, that the supervisors seek out volunteers. The supervisors agreed to look into that suggestion.
The next regular meeting of the Highland Township Supervisors will be held at 7 p.m June 14 at the Township build located at 363 Pennsylvania Avenue, James City.
