FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — Ferguson Township Supervisors held a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12 to finalize a revised labor agreement, review communication processes for constituent requests and outline next steps for long-term tax planning.
The meeting opened with Supervisor Chairman Jeremie Thompson thanking veterans in observance of Veterans Day and confirming no public comment before the board moved quickly through its consent agenda.
Supervisors unanimously approved the township manager’s appointment of the new police Chief Matthew Wilson.
Township Manager Centrice Martin then presented a public hearing to repeal Resolution 2025-30 and ratify a revised tentative agreement with Teamsters Local Union 764, which represents the public works department. The revision corrects the wage rate for the township arborist position, increasing it by $1.94 per hour for a total of $25.43 per hour, to align with comparable regional rates.
“This will bring the position into comparative wages,” Martin said. “The change simply reflects the wage rate adjustment for the arborist.”
Supervisor Omari Patterson moved to approve the amendment and the motion passed unanimously after a roll-call vote.
The board next discussed procedures for managing resident inquiries and the use of the Citizens Request Center — the township’s online portal for submitting maintenance and service requests.
Martin said the discussion stemmed from prior meetings about how supervisors could better handle constituent concerns while maintaining clear communication between elected officials and township staff. She emphasized that the portal remains the preferred method for reporting issues but acknowledged that some residents face barriers to using digital systems.
“The Citizens Request Portal is absolutely a viable option and encouraged to be utilized,” Martin said. “But we also recognize there are residents who prefer to call or visit the township directly. This gives supervisors a process for facilitating that when necessary.”
Patterson noted that while he supports the online system, residents sometimes report confusion when requests are marked “done” before work is completed. “Some folks just want more communication,” he said.
Supervisors discussed the potential for an FAQ page or other tools to make it easier for residents to find information about how to submit issues or request agenda items. Supervisor Patricia Stephens suggested an FAQ would help older residents navigate township services, while Supervisor Lisa Strickland preferred a static resource over AI tools, citing reliability.
Resident and former supervisor Bill Keough said improving digital systems should not replace the township’s in-person “Coffee and Conversation” events, where staff and citizens meet informally.
“I don’t think that anything that the township does can replace the coffee and conversation efforts that we have located at various community sites for communication directly with our citizens and the staff,” Keough said.
Martin agreed, saying the township intends to preserve those events while improving digital outreach.
“At the end of the day, we want everyone to be able to be heard,” she said.
The board also reviewed a framework for developing an annual work plan that will identify and prioritize supervisor initiatives for the upcoming year. Martin said the process aims to improve transparency and alignment between the board and township administration.
“This is really about generating a list of goals that represent the board’s legislative interests,” she said. “We’ll start that discussion in December and continue refining it in early 2026.”
Keough again offered public comment and suggested expanding the framework into a five-year plan coordinated with the township’s Capital Improvement Program, allowing residents to see long-term priorities.
The board then discussed reconvening the township’s long-dormant Tax Review Board, which has not met in roughly two decades. Martin said the board will meet in early 2026 to review fiscal policies and long-term tax planning strategies, as outlined in the township’s Home Rule Charter.
The meeting concluded with routine announcements, including applications for advisory boards open through Nov. 21 and the township office closure on Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving.
