Council Finance & Appropriation Committee Oversight Hearing

Meetings are also streamed at https://www.youtube.com/upperdarbytwp. 

Statement from Council Vice President Noah Fields

Chair, Finance & Appropriations Committee

The Finance & Appropriations Committee of Upper Darby Township Council will be holding a public oversight hearing to review how nearly $1 million a year in municipal funding has historically been distributed to support Upper Darby’s fire service.

For many years, the Township has distributed roughly $75,000 every month across five fire companies. In reviewing this funding structure, it became clear that these payments were often issued without a formal agreement, reporting requirements, or a defined process for how the funds were distributed.

When that much taxpayer money is involved, the public deserves clear oversight and transparency.

As Chair of the Finance Committee, I believe Council has a responsibility to examine how this arrangement developed and make sure taxpayer dollars supporting public safety are subject to proper oversight.

Mayor Ed Brown and I agree that this review is necessary, and this hearing is intended to bring the process into the open so the public can better understand how these funds have historically been distributed and how the Township can establish a clearer structure moving forward.

Nearly a million dollars in taxpayer funds deserves real oversight, and that is exactly what this process is going to deliver.

The hearing will be open to the public.

Noah Fields

Vice President of Council

Chair of Finance and Appropriations

Upper Darby Township

Phone: (610) 587-2991

Email: nfieldscouncil@upperdarby.org

If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend a public meeting and/or public hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation to participate, please contact the Chief Municipal Clerk’s office to discuss how the Township may best accommodate your needs at 610-734-7600.