Politics & Government

Forks Haunted by Public Works Project

Forks Township officials make statements about what they think regarding funding for the public works project.

Editor's Note -- This is the second in a four-part series.

The decision has come up at several recent Forks Township Board of Supervisors meetings.

Some supervisors still are extremely unhappy about the approval of a new public works building, even though the action was a little while ago.

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It seems like the funding issue continues to haunt them.

"It's gonna be painful financially, in terms of the additional costs we have to undertake," Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said.

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Those comments came at the recent supervisors meeting when solicitor Karl Kline explained the complexities of finance director Jim Farley's move to generate $1.8 million to cover over-budgeted costs without hurting taxpayers.

The project's costs stand at $5.6 million. And that's way too much, some supervisors say, for the township to swallow.

After Farley announced funding measures at another recent meeting, board members spoke out:

Supervisor Dan Martyak, who wasn't on the board when the project was approved, stated that he "didn't think the garage was needed in such an extravagant approach."

"No board should ever approve something without having the spending in place," Martyak said. "I don't do this in my personal life."

"We could have built a nice building for a lot less," said Chuss, who had voted against the project. "The previous board was fiscally irresponsible."

Supervisor Bob Egolf, who also voted against the project, said that a lot of errors were made in the project's design, thus bolstering costs.

"We have to move forward," Supervisor John O'Neil said.

Supervisor David Billings, who had approved the project, didn't voice any opinions during Farley's presentation.

He did state after the meeting that he made a decision at the time that he thought was best.

"I never criticize other board members in public, " Billings said. "I've explained my position."


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