Galloway Township has posted an advertisement on their Official Website requesting Proposals for a position of Special Counsel to handle Records Management. According to the advertisement, one of the Township's minimum requirements for this position is "Advanced working knowledge of OPRA, DARM and GRC." According to the Advertisement, all Sealed Responses are due to the Township Clerk by Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 11:00 AM.
Through various Open Public Records Requests, the Township over the past year has been under intense scrutiny by former publisher of GallowayTwpNews.com Harry B. Scheeler, Jr. Scheeler is reported as having approximately 18 outstanding GRC complaints against the Township. The Township also had to defend at least two OPRA Lawsuits, both of which have been settled.
The Township has contracted with various Law firms over the past year in order to serve as Special Counsel either for litigation or to train employees as required by the Joint Insurance Fund. According to Legal Bills, Township Solicitor Michael Fitzgerald has been reviewing OPRA Requests in conjunction with Township Clerk TC Kay. Fitzgerald has also answered multiple GRC Complaints on behalf of the Township.
As it pertains to the addition of another Attorney and the estimated cost the Township will incur, we requested comment from Mayor Don Purdy, Members of Council, Township Manager Arch Liston and Township Solicitor Michael Fitzgerald. Our request for comment went unanswered by all officials.
We will follow up on the appointment as well as report on the legal fees incurred by Township for this Professional.
