The Rush Township Police Department has a new part-time officer.

During Thursday’s regular monthly meeting, township supervisors approved the hiring of Tara Strauss.

Her appointment came after township police Chief Rick Weaver read the department’s report for April.

“For April, the numbers are low. I was the only one who worked the whole month,” Weaver said.

He handled 43 complaints and issued one non-traffic citation, he said.

In keeping with police, Supervisor Robert Leibensperger said the board is mulling whether to have a non-binding question added to the November general election ballot, which would ask voters whether they would agree to a property tax increase if it meant hiring another full-time officer.

Supervisors, however, said they need to discuss numbers before deciding whether to have the question added.

“The thing is, the residents should know how much the property tax would go up,” Chairman Shawn Gilbert said.

The board also hired Walter Searfoss as a full-time road crew member at a rate of $25 per hour.

Supervisors argue

In an unrelated matter, Leibensperger accused Supervisor Jeaninne Motroni of spreading rumors and lies on social media and other platforms.

“For 12 years, not one time has she spoken up at this meeting or to this board about anything,” he said. “But in the past few days, on Facebook, with concerned citizens, and other times before that, nothing but ramblings and accusations and innuendos coming across,” he said during public comment.

“And look at the smug face on her, because she doesn’t have the audacity to confront the board members or any other individuals because she was going after fire police for different things, calling them child molesters and illegally carrying guns and this and that and everything else,” he continued.

Motroni responded by saying, “You will hear stuff.”

Leibensperger said he is not on social media or Facebook.

“No, not on Facebook,” she said.

“It better be factual, that’s all I’m gonna say,” Leibensperger said.

“It is factual,” Motroni said.

Leibensperger then said everything Motroni has “been toting for the last 12 years has been nothing but garbage. And it’s uncalled for. Because as a member of the board of supervisors, you’re supposed to represent the township.”

He said he was “tired” of hearing Motroni’s complaints about how the board doesn’t call her about important issues even though he said he does.

“And if you don’t get that stuff, right there’s the person that’s not giving it to you,” he said, motioning to township secretary/treasurer Debbie DelFranco. “And if she’s not giving it to you, I’ll fire her. Because if that’s the case and she’s not giving you the information that’s required? I’m not supposed to follow up on everything.”

Gilbert didn’t weigh in on the conversation.

Because it was the end of the meeting, he asked Leibensperger if he “was good.”

“Yeah, I’m good,” Leibensperger said before Gilbert asked for adjournment.