Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners President Linda Snyder said she wants to see a monthly account of the township's finances, "every single penny."

The issue came up at Monday's commissioners' meeting because Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. had tapped into the Lafarge account last fall to finalize payment on the purchase of the Prydun Farm. He planned on returning the money to the fund once grant funding for the purchase was received.

The board and Snyder are miffed the commissioners weren't told or asked to vote on releasing money from the Lafarge Fund, a million-dollar trust fund. They had approved the acquisition of the Prydun Farm property in Hokendauqua for open space, but were not notified the Lafarge fund would be tapped temporarily to conclude the purchase while awaiting the Pa. Department of Conservation & Natural Resources grant money.

The grant, reportedly in the $120,000 range, has not yet been received, but Hozza said the township has received assurances that the grant funding will arrive shortly.

"We should have been asked. We were not," Snyder said. "I am not saying there are bad things, not stealing money. All of us want to do the right thing.

"Put it in writing and we will vote on it."

She said her call for tighter reports on spending also applies to credit cards.

"I'm talking every penny," Snyder said.

Board secretary Dennis Hower said he has not seen a treasurer's report for the last couple of months, asking such a report be made each month.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers and Hozza said they will comply with Snyder's demand for financial information.

The discussion ensued on how such information should be compiled, noting expenditures to a provider are listed together.

Meyers said the township has outside auditors that report on the township's finances and receive a high rating.

He said whatever the commissioners want will be done, that is their right.

Snyder said she has always had a good working relationship with Meyers over the years and praised his work on behalf of the township.

Meyers, who puts the township budget together and oversees it, said he has no issue with Snyder's request, which will be followed in a format that will be developed.

"I didn't ask for this all the years I am on the board," Snyder remarked.

The commissioners voted to place the Lafarge Fund money into a trust account, making its use restricted.

In the future, access to the money in the account will be limited to withdrawals authorized by the board of commissioners.

In the past, the Lafarge Fund money has been used to pay for township expenses early in the year, until tax revenue arrives to replenish the general account. The withdrawal is then returned to the fund. Similarly, money was borrowed from the fund to pay for the rebuilding of the Mickley Road bridge until it was reimbursed by the county, at which time the borrowed money was returned to the Lafarge Fund.