Feb 9, 2007 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – An accumulated pension fund for a former township secretary was forfeited Thursday and will now be turned over to the municipality to be used for its purposes. A state law, said township solicitor Richard Bower allows for the township to collect the $12,500 pension that had been earmarked for Tammy Mader.

Last year, Mader, 44, was convicted of felony theft charges after misappropriating nearly $63,000 of township funds over a two year period.

The theft of funds was discovered in 2003 during an audit of the township financial records.

The audit found that Mader overpaid herself nearly $26,000 and used township checks or funds to pay for personal accounts such as credit cards and utility bills.

In May 2006, Mader pleaded guilty to third-degree felony charges of theft by deception and theft by receiving stolen property and agreed to make restitution in the amount of $62,933 to the township to avoid any prison time.

Fayette County Court of Common Please Judge Ralph Warman sentenced her to five years probation.

“She has made restitution,” said Bower. “The law also allows the township to recoup her pension funds.”

Turning to unrelated matters, supervisors agreed to contact the property owners of three sites that have been declared unfit for habitation and dangerous structures by the township code enforcement officer and the township engineering firm.

At the advice of the solicitor, the panel directed that a final letter be issued to the owners of 919 N. Jefferson St., 936 N. Jefferson St. and 336 Breakneck Road to inform them that if the structures are not removed, the township will move to have them condemned and then demolished.

“These places are in terrible condition,” said Sally Stoots, supervisor vice-chairman. “The one at 919 N. Jefferson (St.) is falling down; it has nearly collapsed on itself.”

“You don’t want someone going in there and getting hurt.”

In other business, supervisors were advised that another meeting will be scheduled to again discuss an intermunicipal agreement with the surrounding communities of South Connellsville Borough and the City of Connellsville.

Earlier, the township and borough signed a joint resolution that would allow the two communities to seek funding to complete a comprehensive land use plan, after city representatives declined to attend several scheduled meetings to discuss the matter.

“(The township and borough agreement) is now on hold,” said Bower. “The county Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development has asked (the township and borough) and the city to make one application.”

Bower said that Tammy Stenson, executive director of the zoning office, will schedule the meeting and request that a quorum from each community attend.

Should the city opt out of taking part in the agreement, added Bower, the two communities can move forward and will be eligible for grant funding to complete the comprehensive plan.

In other action, the supervisors also conducted the following business:

Agreed to apply for a county aid grant. Township secretary Leah Brothers speculated that the municipality would receive approximately $3,000.

Authorized the transfer of $30,000 from the general fund into an interest-bearing account. Stoots estimated the township would accrue approximately $200 each month in interest by transferring the funds.

Directed Brothers to secure information concerning the federal surplus program.