West Penn Township Supervisor Jim Akins expects to soon submit his resignation due to a recent change of residence.

Akins attended Monday’s board meeting by telephone. During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Brian McClellen asked whether he still lives in the township.

“I sold my house, Brian. I do not have property there right now,” Akins responded.

McClellen said that under second class township code, an elected official who moves from the township can no longer serve. He referenced two sections, including one that reads, “Supervisors shall reside in the township from which elected and shall have resided in that township continuously for at least one year before their election.”

“There’s no time frame. As soon as that person is no longer a resident, he is no longer a member of the board of supervisors,” McClellen said.

Akins disagreed with McClellen, however, saying that there is nothing in the township code saying that a supervisor has to immediately step down after moving.

He added that he has a plan in place and was hoping to help get the board through budget season. He also said that he had spoken to township Solicitor Paul Datte and that he would soon submit a letter of resignation.

“Is it your intent to formally resign, Jim?” Datte asked Akins.

“Yes, it is,” Akins replied.

Datte said that Akins has to submit a formal resignation letter. At that point, he said, the board has 45 days to accept it. They then have 30 days to appoint a replacement, he said.

Datte encouraged Akins to resign “as soon as you can.”

Akins said he had a letter prepared and would submit it as early as today.

Despite asking for Akins to step down, McClellen commended him for doing a “wonderful job” while in office.

Akins was elected to a six-year term during the November 2023 general election.