Wednesday
September 18, 2024 
Honored at the June 12 public board of supervisors meeting upon her retirement from Bedminster Township after 36 years of service, Jean Herstine received a commemorative plaque from the supervisors, and a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Rep. Shelby Labs.
Herstine originally served eight years as township secretary, before being promoted to Secretary-Treasurer. She also served as secretary of the police department and the zoning hearing board.
Her tenure spanned many years before the township hired its first township manager, first as a part-time position, and then full time starting 10 years ago, while the police department grew to employ both an administrative assistant and a community relations specialist supporting eight uniformed officers.
Later in the meeting, in what he described as a streamlining move, Township Manager Rich Schilling’s presentation of Safe Harbor Bookkeeping Professionals in Perkasie to serve as township treasurer was approved by the supervisors. They are to primarily serve virtually, and onsite as needed. He estimated they will serve “15 to 20 hours per week at first, and then less.”
Township secretary duties will be taken on by employee Patti McVaugh, administrative assistant to the township manager. She was hired in 2006 in that capacity, and also as assistant secretary-treasurer to the board of supervisors. Soon after, she added secretary to the zoning hearing board; planning commission; and land preservation advisory committee.
In an unrelated capacity, she is also the elected tax collector for the township, handling obligations to the county and the school district as well as the township.
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