Telford Borough Council Public Statement

 February 13, 2023

The members of the Telford Borough Council would like to thank everyone who attended the Council meeting on Monday, February 6^th, 2023. Council members who have signed below and your Honorable Mayor (collectively “Council”) appreciate your collective concerns for our community, and your willingness to respectfully articulate your positions.

The undersigned Council members and the Mayor publicly state the following:

• After much deliberation last year during the analysis for the 2023 budget, Telford’s contribution to the Indian Valley Public Library (IVPL) was reduced to soften a tax increase that is necessary to provide the necessary financial resources for our Police Department to hire a much-needed additional police officer.
• Council did not and will not support any efforts to cancel our contributions to the IVPL. Council continues to support the IVPL, recognizing the valuable services it delivers to our community.
• Council has not and will not support Council Member, Robert Jacobus’ endeavor to cancel or delay distribution of the funds budgeted this year to the IVPL.

Council hears and shares your concerns for our community. Like you, we want to live in a thriving and welcoming community. Council members are your neighbors; we live here and many of us work here. As Council members elected by you, we volunteer our time to strengthen Telford. We want you to be able to raise your families, brag about your neighborhoods, enjoy fun activities and feel safe in Telford.

At the end of 2022, Council voted to reduce the funding that had been given to the IVPL in previous years. This difficult decision was rendered after much deliberation and was made to mitigate a tax increase and meet the public safety needs of our community. The 2023 budget saw reductions in many areas. It was noted at the February 6^th Council meeting that the hiring of one additional full-time police officer precipitated the reduction in funding to the IVPL, that is not the case, there were many factors including:

• Overall economic conditions resulting in increased costs in many areas of the budget.
• 2022 staffing changes that were unplanned and thus unbudgeted, but necessary.
• 4% salary increase for the Telford Borough Police Department (contractual), and Borough employees.

The reduction in funding to the IVPL was not a commentary on the services that the library provides to our community. Council recognizes that the library, and many other organizations, provide valuable services to you and our fellow Borough residents. As Telford Borough begins the process of creating a 5-year budget plan we will solicit and welcome the input of our residents and various stakeholder groups. 

Beginning in March, the Telford Borough Council will meet at 7:30 pm, on the second Monday of the month, at the Telford Borough Hall.  Minutes of past meetings are available at our Borough website located at www.telfordborough.org. Agendas for upcoming meetings, including any changes in meeting schedules, may be found on our website. In an effort to improve communication and transparency, we are currently in the process of updating and improving our website, so stay tuned for improvements.

We want to clear up inaccurate statements made during the February 6^th Council meeting:

• Council did not request, authorize, participate in the production of, nor approve Member Jacobus’ materials on the IVPL.
• Members of Council are volunteers and do not receive any compensation for the time and efforts they devote to our community, with the only exception being the President of Council, who along with the Mayor receive a stipend of $300 per year. Council members receive $4,000 of life insurance while in office.

Questions about Borough matters, or the 2023 Telford Borough budget, should be directed to the Borough Manager at manager@telfordborough.org  or via phone at 215-723-5000.  Information about the IVPL may be found at https://www.ivpl.org or call 215-723-9109.

Council has received many written and verbal inquiries regarding the February 6th Council meeting and the events and information disseminated prior to the meeting. We, the undersigned, sincerely hope this statement will clarify Council's position and address your concerns.

The undersigned Council members and your Honorable Mayor have been, and will continue to be, fully committed to our Oath of Office and the duties associated with the positions we hold. The below signed Council members and our Honorable Mayor attest to the truth of the above facts.

With gratitude for your dedication to Telford Borough, Council Members and our Honorable Mayor.

Mayor Jerry Guretse

Council President Bill Ashley

Council member Carolyn Crouthamel

Council member Eric Kratz

Council member Spencer Kulhanjian

Council member John A Taylor

Council Vice-President Emiline Weiss