Plumstead Township. Photo by James Short.
Plumstead Township supervisors declined this week to appoint two residents to fill vacant elected auditor positions after last fall’s election results were voided due to technical issues.
During the township’s reorganization meeting, Supervisor Gregory Bankos said two candidates had effectively won the auditor races in November 2025, but one was disqualified because voters wrote in his commonly used nickname rather than his legal name.
The second individual, he said, did not follow up with the Board of Elections to complete certification. Bankos argued the board should appoint both individuals despite the technicalities.
According to meeting minutes, township Manager Stacey Mulholland said that Plumstead already retains professional auditors to conduct its annual financial audit. Elected township auditors, she said, typically meet only once a year and take on limited responsibilities, such as setting compensation if a supervisor is also employed by the township.
Several residents weighed in during public comment. Kathy Albert of German Road said her husband was one of the write-in candidates and expressed interest in the appointment.
Wayne “Tom” Albert told supervisors he commonly goes by Tom, which led supporters to use that name on ballots, and said he would like to serve.
Other residents voiced concerns, including Tom Alvare of State Park Road, who questioned the candidates’ ability to handle paperwork, and Paula Lichtenstein of Christopher Day Road, who said potential appointees should be vetted like committee members.
Bankos made a motion, seconded by Supervisor Dan Hilferty, to appoint Wayne “Tom” Albert and Allison Kingsley as township auditors. The motion failed in a 2-3 vote, with Supervisors Matthew Given, Kenneth Lichtenstein, and Jennifer Moroney opposed.
Following the vote, Given said the board expects to make an appointment to the auditor positions at a future meeting.
The appointment was not a part of Wednesday night's agenda.
