'Severe Dysfunction' In Warminster Township Government Alleged

WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP, PA — The Warminster Township Republican Committee is questioning the departure of Assistant Township Manager Lisa Howdyshell and the municipal government's overall operation.

"Recent comments from the former Warminster Township assistant manager point to 'severe dysfunction' in the running of the township," the GOP committee stated in a Facebook post.

Warminster Township officials recently announced the appointment of Jill Maier, who has worked for the township since 2022. Maier had served as the confidential assistant to Township Manager Tom Scott.

Bob Guarini, the township's auditor who is running for election in November as a township supervisor, commented on the Facebook post that Howdyshell brought up "some good points" in a LinkedIn post the Republican Committee shared.

Howdyshell told Patch that she was "surprised someone took my LinkedIn post and are sharing it as my 'statement.'" She said she would consult with her lawyer before commenting further.

In her post, Howdyshell alleged that there was "so much questionable or just bad behavior" in municipal government.

She wondered why some township employees were playing golf while on the clock, that hiring decisions were already made before job postings, and that people with no management experience were getting promoted.. See the post below

Patch reached out to Township Manager Tom Scott, Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes, and Assistant Township Manager Jill Maier for comment.

"This is unfortunate. It's become a legal issue," Hayes told Patch Thursday. "These are unsubstantiated comments by someone taking vengeance, a disgruntled former employee. I wish her the best, but we have to do what's best for the township, its residents, and our employees."

Hayes, who is running as a Democrat for re-election, said that Howdyshell's allegations are "untrue and unsubstantiated."

Hayes said that no township employees are stealing, or were rehired. He said the township conducts a thorough job hiring process, and that some township employees have played golf at the township-owned Five Ponds Golf Course at township-sponsored events.

As far as operating a municipal government of "severe dysfunction," alleged by the GOP committee, Hayes said that the township government "is running as smooth as it's run for 60 years."

"Shame on them for turning a personnel matter into political fodder," Hayes said. "My opponents drove the township into bankruptcy. That's all fact."

(Warminster Township Republican Committee)