By Tom Gilchrist
Staff Writer
WISNER TWP. — The township supervisor and clerk verbally sparred here Monday night, with each accusing the other of harassment as they tried to determine proper reimbursement for Board of Review members.
Clerk Pamela Shook said she was trying to determine who to pay for service as township Board of Review members from a Board of Review meeting in August of 2014. Shook repeatedly questioned Supervisor James MacFarlane — who also is the township assessor — for the minutes of that meeting, saying it’s his responsibility to supply her with a copy.
“I didn’t write the minutes,” MacFarlane told her, minutes after accusing Shook of “creating problems.”
“Well, that’s where (the minutes) are wrong, because you’re supposed to,” Shook said.
“Then you get your ass down here next time,” MacFarlane
Wisner Township’s Board of Trustees includes, from left, Trustee Edward “Lee” Duke, Trustee Vickie Vader, Supervisor James MacFarlane, Clerk Pamela Shook and Treasurer Annette Rieck.
told Shook, pointing a finger at her.
“I do what?” Shook interjected. “Will you rephrase yourself? Point your finger in my nose again!”
MacFarlane continued, saying “When you get down here, then you run that (Board of Review). Then I’m going to go back over to the prosecuting attorney.”
Shook told the supervisor he could visit the county prosecutor.
“I have been,” MacFarlane told her.
“Good,” Shook said. “What has he told you, Jim? That you’re wrong, and I’m right. That you’re harassing me.”
“No, you’re harassing me,” MacFarlane answered.
Later in the meeting, following discussion, the members of the township board determined who to pay, and how much, in relation to the August Board of Review meeting.
In other action Monday, the board voted to pay the balance of about $33,484 owed on work done on the Northwest Drain and Wisner Drain, saving about $3,973 in interest the board would have paid had it continued to proceed with a payment schedule that ran into 2018.
Township board members set the township’s annual budget hearing for March 16 at 6 p.m., an hour before the next township board meeting that same night. Township Treasurer Annette Rieck urged board members to present details on what their job duties are, and how many hours they spend doing their jobs, at that March 16 meeting if those board members believe they deserve salary increases.
Supervisor MacFarlane, Clerk Shook and Treasurer Rieck each receive annual salaries of $8,000. MacFarlane also receives $7,100 annually as township assessor.
“My job hasn’t, but I know that the clerk’s job and maybe the supervisor’s have really (required) more hours,” Rieck said. “I feel the clerk’s job, I would never be able to do it, because I work full-time. I think (the clerk’s job) is more than a part-time job anymore, especially with these elections …”
Rieck told other board members that “Anybody that thinks their salaries should be raised, kind of present what their job duties are, how much time they really spend down at the hall or on the job, doing the job — anyplace — wherever you do work on that job. That would give us (help), when we’re preparing the budget.”
Clerk Shook also serves as sexton for the township cemetery located behind the township hall along M-25, but doesn’t receive pay for that position.
“On a normal occasion of a death, I make a minimum of three trips down here, and more than likely four trips,” Shook said. “I get no extra money.”
Board members on Monday also voted unanimously to make the road in the township cemetery a one-way road. Trustee Vickie Vader said motorists “are cutting the curve on that road because it’s a sharp turn.” That, Shook noted, causes “a problem, because they’re running over the Turschak family’s plot.”
The board voted to erect “One Way — Do Not Enter” signs at points along the cemetery road.
“I’d say if it don’t work, try something else if we find out it’s not working, but at least give it a try,” Trustee Edward “Lee” Duke said.
“What do we have to lose?” Vader added.