JAMES CITY — An executive session between the Highland Township Supervisors, township solicitor David Pontzer of Ridgway, and representatives from local insurance agencies that was supposed to have happened on Friday was a no-go, leaving the township in a holding pattern as the July 3 shutdown deadline looms closer.
Supervisor chairman Jim Wolfe said the township did not receive any insurance quotes on Friday. Further, Wolfe said Pontzer was unable to be reached on Friday. He said that without either, there was no point to an executive session.
Wolfe said at a special session on Wednesday that Randy Geci of Nicklas Insurance of St. Marys was hoping to have a quote worked up for the township by Friday evening. However, Wolfe indicated he had not received a quote from Nicklas as of Sunday evening.
The township received a letter dated May 1 from Trident Insurance stating the San Antonio, Texas-based insurance carrier would not renew the township’s insurance policy. Highland Township has to find a new insurance policy or face shutting down on July 3.
At May’s regular meeting, Wolfe reported two vehicle accidents involving township roadmaster Kim Kuhn in December of last year and in March was given as a reason for the non-renewal of the township insurance policy. Earlier this month, Pontzer reiterated what Wolfe said the week prior, saying the number of claims made against the policy in the last three years was simply too high.
Township secretary-treasurer Christy Reigel said two claims were filed on a township road crew truck within the last six months, the first of which was for $5,628. Reigel said the second claim, which totaled the truck, was to the tune of $49,109. She also noted a claim was made after a crash with one of the township fire trucks in 2013 for $87,834.67.
Reigel has reported the township has contacted 22 different carriers, agencies and brokers asking for a quote. Of those 22 companies, 10 have indicated they are still researching the matter, while 10 others have declined to offer the township a quote, according to the report. Reigel said she is still waiting for a call back from two companies.
