Politics & Government

Warminster Board of Supervisors Removes Jarvis as Chairwoman

Ellen Jarvis remains on the board, with Frank Feinberg taking over as chairman.

The Warminster Board of Supervisors voted Thursday night, 4-0, to remove Ellen Jarvis as chairwoman in light of revelations that she had not paid monthly premiums for the township health benefits, since February of this year. Vice Chairman Frank Feinberg has replaced Jarvis as chairman, leaving the vice chair seat vacant. She still remains on the board of supervisors.

The other board members also voted, 4-0, to remove Jarvis from the township benefits on May 31 and place her on COBRA, unless she can pay the premium, and to recoup the missed payments for Feb.-May, estimated at more than $5,000, from her compensation as township supervisor. 

After presenting a check to the local VFW for the Memorial Day Parade, Jarvis read a statement similar to an e-mail she had to reporters, defending her action with an opinion letter written by township Solicitor Michael Savona in July, 2010, in which she claims he wrote, "supervisors can receive medical benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents, without any required reimbursement to the Township for any costs associated therewith." 

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Her comments also insinuated that sexism has played a part in the reactions by other, unnamed members of the board, saying, "No wonder so few in my gender step forth to be of service to our communities.  Shame on the bullies, and shame on the others who watch idly by." After finishing her statement, Jarvis left the meeting to attend to a family emergency.

The matter was brought up again for the rest of the board's consideration by Feinberg during discussion of new business. Savona characterized Jarvis' claim of premium payments being voluntary as a misinterpretation. He said that a government employee receiving free health benefits without the explicit approval of the board of supervisors constitutes an increase in payment, which violates Pennsylvania state law.

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"If the board wanted to allow her to receive health benefits without paying for them," he said during the meeting, "the members would have to meet in a public forum and make a motion. That has not happened."

Jarvis requested that she and her husband be enrolled in the Warminster employee group health insurance plan in May 2010, and the approval was given with the understanding by the other members that payment of premiums was a condition.

According to the letter she sent to reporters and the statement she made at the board meeting, her husband had recently lost his disability income and she had been laid off her full time job. She was unable to pay the premium from Feb.-May, which she claims is $1,500 per month, but township Manager Bob Tate estimated it is between $1,300-$1,400. She revealed this situation in a letter sent to Tate before the last board of supervisors meeting on April 28, which was subsequently sent to the rest of the board.

"That was the first I heard anything about it," said supervisor Leo Quinn. Quinn is the only other member who receives benefits from the township, in the form of life insurance, for which he pays the full monthly premium, offering to produce a pay stub if so requested. The other remaining members, Feinberg, Gail Johnson and Tom Panzer receive no benefits as township supervisors.

Feinberg told the board that he had suggested to Jarvis that she resign her chair during phone conversations after the revelation, a request that Jarvis states she considered but ultimately decided against.

Wednesday night, Jarvis sent a request to the Pennsylvania State Board of Ethics, asking them to review the matter and give an advisory opinion on whether she had committed any wrongdoing.

Savona stated that the state board is designed to handle conflicts of interest situations between the public trust and a private interest, i.e. bribes, kickbacks, etc., and that non-payment of health care premiums fell out of their jurisdiction. He told the board it was completely within their rights to take action immediately and did not have to wait for an investigation from the state.

"They were left with no choice," said Jim Scott, the Democratic candidate running for election to fill Gail Johnson's vacating position on the board of supervisors. "Once you abuse the trust of the community, you lose all authority. I sympathize with her financial troubles, but we all have problems."


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