Supervisors censure, replace vice chairman
David Hughes calls action against him a vendetta
In a surprise move at Wednesday’s special meeting, the Exeter Township supervisors voted to censure and replace Vice Chairman David Hughes.
The first motion was made by Supervisor Theodore Gardella to enact a resolution to censure Hughes for improper and unprofessional behavior.
The language in the resolution included accounts of Hughes intimidating and bullying township staff, embarrassing and harassing the board, and exposing the township to litigation.
In addition, the resolution accused Hughes of besmirching Exeter Township and called on him to change his behavior.
During public comment, David Piho announced that a petition asking for Hughes’ resignation so far has garnered almost 600 signatures.
Hughes commented on the censure resolution.
“Very impressive but you have no proof,” he said. “You are not the ethics commission. I’m not about to resign at any time so you better get used to this ugly face.
“Your censure is phony baloney. This is unprecedented and unnecessary. This is a vendetta. I voted for you and you set me up. This document is insulting.”
The motion to censure passed 4-0. Hughes could not vote because the motion involved him.
Supervisor David L. Vollmer followed with a motion to replace Hughes with Gardella as vice chairman.
Vollmer said there has been a loss of confidence in Hughes with the board and the public, and that Hughes’ conduct does not align with the rest of the board.
Chairman George Bell told Hughes that he crossed a red line when he allegedly threatened physical violence against another member of the board.
“I’m completely disgusted and I’ve lost all respect for you,” Bell said. “Likewise,” Hughes said. That motion also passed 4-0, again with Hughes unable to vote.
A motion to limit individual supervisors’ interactions with township staff and the solicitor unless by appointment was tabled for the next meeting when Supervisor Michelle P. Kircher suggested softening the language to allow limited interaction with staff during business hours.
Hughes also has been accused of taking up hours of administrators’ time away from their normal duties to help him dig up what he says are past improprieties.
Hughes then picked up his briefcase and left the meeting.
Before adjourning Bell removed Hughes as liaison to the Reading Country Club and chose to take on those duties himself.
Bell appointed Vollmer as liaison for police and emergency services.