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Other than that, it was business as usual for the bickering township board.

As of the Feb, 21 meeting there is a vacancy on the Lexington Worth Township Utility Authority, an organization formed to provide municipal water along southern M-25.

Clerk Marci Bartniczak says she will sit on the LWTUA board at their March 12 meeting.

"As far as I know, I've been elected by a majority vote," she added. "I don't know why the LWTUA are so suspicious of anyone else being on their board."

The appointment controversy began last month when the Worth Board appointed Bartniczak to the Lexington Worth Township Utility Aurthority because it is township policy is to have trustees change boards each year to gain experience. Members have swapped boards without conflict, but the LWTUA position became contentious between the Bartniczak, other trustees, and Supervisor Ed Smith.

Smith refused to leave his position on the LWTUA. He argued that its articles of incorporation state his term lasts for three years, expiring in 2009. He has also claimed the LWTUA will not allow two members from the same township on its board.

There are six members on the LWTUA -three including an alternate from Worth Township, and three representatives from Lexington Township.

Bartniczak has suggested Smith step aside so she could take over his seat, which would avoid having two members from the same township on the LWTUA. She also contends that despite Smith's assertion, the articles of incorporation do not preclude her from being on the board .

Smith surprised some trustees at the beginning of Thursday's meeting by adding two items to the agenda. One of the items was the selection of an alternate board member for the LWTUA.

"You mean an alternate not a member," countered Bartniczak. An alternate fills in for a missing member. That selection was already on the agenda and Ruth Leen was re-selected.

Smith affirmed he meant member. Despite creating some rancor, the two items including a hardship exemption item were added under new business.

Township policy dictates that agenda items are added at least five days prior to the meeting and nothing is later unless it's an emergency so board members have time to investigate agenda issues.

A few minutes later, Smith motioned to correct the minutes from last month's meeting. The correction stated the LWTUA board appointment for Bob Coniglio is up in February 2008, but that his appointment isn't up until 2009. Smith wanted to discuss the item in last month's minutes.

Bartniczak reminded Smith that opinions are not usually placed in minutes and that there are many opinions on different motions.

Trustee Jon Rundels did not support Smith's motion to change the minutes.

"I did not vote on that motion to have Marci replace Ed Smith in 2009," said Rundels. "That's not what it says ... if you put those words in you change my vote. I won't allow that. I voted to have Marci appointed on the LWTUA ... period."

The motion to change the minutes failed 3-2 with Smith and Trustee John Wylie in favor.

Coniglio was not reappointed to another three year term despite Smith's preference to keep him on the board.

Rundels said the issue to keep Bartniczak off the LWTUA was over semantics.

"I voted for Marci to be on the board and to not necessarily replace Mr. Smith," he emphasized.

Wylie said he thought her vote last month was to replace Smith.

"It doesn't say that and that's not the way the motion was meant," replied Rundels, who left the meeting when Wylie disagreed with him.

Later, Bartniczak called Smith outrageous and reminded him that he has missed 11 of 23 LWTUA meetings.

Bartniczak left the meeting while the motion to reappoint Coniglio was still on the floor. However, she rushed back in time to vote no.

The vote ended 2-2 with Smith and Wylie supporting and Treasurer Jennifer Woodruff and Bartniczak dissenting. Before leaving the building, Bartniczak asked for an attorney's review while Smith replied he'd welcome the challenge.