Ligonier Township supervisors question work done by fellow board member's company

Two Ligonier Township supervisors are raising concerns after a company co-owned by a fellow board member did about $15,500 worth of work for the municipality over four years.

But Supervisor John Beaufort said he was trying to leverage his background in construction and project management in an effort to help save the township money. He did some of the 13 projects at cost through his heating, cooling and plumbing business — Beaufort Services Inc. — a stone’s throw from the township building.

“I’m not doing that to make money,” he said.

The township paid 13 bills to Beaufort Services between January 2018 and December 2022 while he served his current term, according to a Right-to-Know request filed in February by Supervisor D. Scott Matson and obtained by the Tribune-Review. That work ranged from bills for $10.94 for a capacitor and $71.42 for a couple air filters to $1,725.93 for new toilets and $4,700 for the replacement of an air conditioner.

Before his 2018 election, the company was paid eight bills between 2013 and 2017 totaling about $7,800, according to documents obtained through the Right-to-Know request. Beaufort Services is no longer doing work for the township, Beaufort said.

“I won’t touch it,” he said.

Municipalities are required to seek quotes for purchases and contracts totaling $12,200 or more. Anything over $22,500 requires a formal bidding process.

Matson and Supervisor Dan Resenic said it was inappropriate for Beaufort to do work for the township because they said it was a conflict of interest.

“I think it’s wrong, and it’s been going on,” Matson said.

“We’re elected officials and we are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding, we don’t want to give the appearance of impropriety,” Resenic said. “There’s other businesses in the area that certainly could provide that service. I think it’s an ethical conflict of interest.”

Mary Fox, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, said public officials cannot use their positions for personal gain for themselves or their businesses. There are exceptions for instances where the economic impact would be insignificant, she said. Fox was discussing ethics generally and would not specifically address the township situation.

Another provision of the Pennsylvania Ethics Act states that a public official, or any business associated with the official, cannot enter into a contract valued at $500 or more with the municipality they represent unless the contract has been awarded through a public bidding process. Ligonier Township paid four bills over that amount — ranging from $1,725.93 to $4,700 — to Beaufort Services and two closer to the limit — $508.46 and $503.30, according to documents obtained by the Tribune-Review.

Township Manager Michael Strelic said if time permits, he can shop around for the best price, but when there’s an emergency at a township building, the most accessible and reliable company likely will get the call. Bills are presented in a list to all township supervisors, who must approve them at a public meeting.

“It’s there in front of them,” he said.

There were times Strelic said he instructed Beaufort to abstain from voting on the bill list because his company was included in it. Beaufort said he never signed a check made out to his company.

“They voted on them, they had to sign the checks, they never said a word,” Beaufort said.

Supervisor Stephanie Verna and Beaufort said they believe the Right-to-Know request was politically motivated. Beaufort is running for reelection.

Beaufort Services did work for the township on a limited basis, Verna said.

“Township practice is not to filter work to supervisors,” she said. “Beaufort’s work was usually due to an isolated situation or an emergency.”

Supervisor Erik Ross did not respond to a message.