Township looking for new tax collector

May 04, 2004|by RICHARD F. BELISLE

WAYNESBORO, PA. - The process of finding a replacement for Washington Township Tax Collector Richard E. "Dick" Ambrose, who died Sunday, was put in motion Monday night by the Washington Township Supervisors.

The supervisors held a moment of silence for Ambrose, 75, who has held the post since 1990.

Township Manager Michael A. Christopher called Ambrose, "An excellent fellow who was a pleasure to work with all these years."

The supervisors set May 21 as the deadline for submitting applications for the tax collector's job. They will conduct interviews May 26 and make their selection the same night, Supervisors Chairman Art Cordell said.

The supervisors have 30 days to find a successor for Ambrose. If they don't do so, the responsibility goes to the township's vacancy board, which has 15 days to act. After that, the decision on Ambrose's replacement goes to Common Pleas Court.

Applicants for the job must have lived in the township for one year, said John Lisko, the township's attorney.

Ambrose's son, Donald Ambrose, who has been serving as his deputy, will carry on the duties of the office until a permanent replacement is found.

Cordell said the appointee will serve out the remainder of Ambrose's four-year term which ends Dec. 31, 2005. If the appointee chooses to stay in the job, he or she would have to run in the primary and general election in 2005. The winner of that election would take office Jan. 1, 2006.

Christopher said Ambrose's books will have to be audited as part of the transition by the township, Waynesboro Area School District and Franklin County since his office collected taxes for all three jurisdictions.

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