Karen Lilik Spreads Lies

[Sal]

Lilik uses position and lies for personal intentions.

One of the reasons for this website is so we can get the truth out.  Whenever someone with a title or position in the Township abuses his or her position, we all need to know about it.  There has been misinformation, outright lies spread around the township, and people need to know the truth.

BACKGROUND
I have a 68-acre farm that we use to grow trees, shrubs and perennials.  The primary purpose of the farm is to supply a large-scale nursery operation that I started over 35 years ago and that is located in suburban Philadelphia.  We do sell a small amount locally.  Most of the people that buy locally are from Newton Township and we always give residents of Newton discounts on the products.  Anyone that wants more information about the farm can visit SpringhouseG.com

Kenneth W. Lilik, M.D. and his wife Karen L. Lilik reside at 1634 Forest Acers Drive and own around 35 acres that abuts my farm.  Mrs. Lilik is co-chairperson of the Newton Township Planning Commission.

This situation involves a sewage facility that will be located on my property. I have a small 8 lot approved subdivision located on the farm. I have a barn and a house.  My wife and I would like to build a new house.  Recently, Carl Caswell purchased a lot that was part of the farm.  He and his wife would like to build a house.  Twelve sand mound systems would be required to accommodate those units.  

However, there are systems that are approved by the State of Pennsylvania that would handle all of the units, take up less space then one sand mound system, and not even have a mound.  I chose to go with that system and I have been working with State officials for several years to get it accomplished.

Last year all of the preliminary studies were completed by the State, I started with the permitting process, and began attending Newton Township Planning Commission meetings.  These types of sewage systems are permitted in Newton Township and the Township supervisors are on the record stating that they have no problem with the sewage facility.

So, what is the problem?

I attended numerous Planning Commission meetings.  Those of you that attend meetings and get there early know that quite often people are outside chitchatting before the meeting.  At one of the first meetings Mrs. Lilik and I were engaged in some small talk and Mrs. Lilik told me that the sewage system would not get approved unless I give her $10,000.00.  I brushed it off and explained to her that the facility could benefit the Township and her since she has a bit of land next door that is zoned residential.  She said, I don’t care about that and I walked away.

Since then Mrs. Lilik gave me a hard time at every meeting and she drives through my property snooping around.  In March I submitted the plan to the Township and the 60-day countdown period began.  No one in the township had complaints.  No one is being forced to use the system and it is not costing the taxpayers anything.

Things were not going the way that Mrs. Lilik intended and at the March meeting, she was nasty and abusive and attacked me for everything under the sun.  She also asked a professional engineer to drink the water coming out of the sewage system.  She went around telling people that a huge treatment plant was going to be put in their back yard, that it would stink and pollute their drinking water.  

It the confusion, The Times Tribune inaccurately wrote that the proposed sewer plant would be near Valley View and Forest drives.  Near Valley View and Forest drives covers a lot of ground and that caused a flood of calls to the township building.  People wanted to know where it was going.  The township secretary explained that what they read was not correct.  The proposed system will be on Mr. Pileggi’s land and those people were no longer concerned.

Do not believe the false information and outright lies that were spread by Karen Lilik.  People that conduct themselves the way she does should not be on the Newton Township Planning Commission.

If anyone is concerned and wants the facts, contact me or go to the Township building.  There is a plot plan with an aerial view of the entire area that shows a little sewage system located in the middle of my property.  

Be wary of people sneaking around the township telling stories about people and trying to scare you.  What is their agenda and what is the other side of the story.

[char]

Sal , Im so sorry to read about the trouble that some people are causing you.  Since you own that land you have fixed it up so nice.  It used to be called tobacco road. very unsightly.  why people want to give you a hard time is beyond me.  Im sure the homes you intend to be there would fit into the landscaping beautifully.  Not like some (particularry one) that was allowed on valley view drive.  It is a monstrosity and does not fit into the homes nearby .  It looks like it just landed there .  
Good luck to you and Susie.  and thank you for a pleasant site on valley view drive.

[JoeP]

Hi Sal, thanks for the heads up as to what is going on in your backyard.

I've known you now for a few years and I know you are honest, forthright, care about our environment and the community we live in and have contributed time and energy to this end.  You have publicly stuck your neck out many times to make sure the right thing was done, or when it wasn't to let people know the ugly truth.  And while we may be on the opposite side of the political spectrum, you always have my support.

As for the Planning Commission, I didn't know we had one.  Never saw anything published.  I would think (hope) however, that their minutes are part of the public record and therefore diatribe by any member is not kept behind closed doors.  But, our township supervisors have yet to learn the power of the Internet where minutes can be easily posted for all who wish to read them, can.  But the less the people know about what goes on, the better they like it.  I diverse again - this is nothing new.

It is obvious you took great care and time in following all the protocols, regulations and filing requirements for your sewer project.  I would have been nice (and professional) if Mrs. Lilik could engage in proper discourse and share with the us (the community at large) any legitimate and factual concerns she has so we could better understand them.  What better place than this forum.  Anyone can shout out innuendos and half truths at a meeting.

I suspect the problem might be one of NIMBY (not in my back yard).  Everyone says they want better mental health facilities, more nursing homes, prisons, cheaper energy, better cell phone service, more efficient trash removal and recycling, etc., etc. - so long as it is not in their back yard.  I further suspect this is not how the old time/long term Newton folks view the world, it is coming in with the extremely expensive homes being built in Newton to protect their astronomical property values

My suspicions could be all wrong but we don't have Mrs. Lilik on the record nor do we know her agenda.  One final thought, was the $10,000 request she made to you to buy her vote?

[Sal]

Hi Joe and thanks for your input.

I was not trying to imply that anyone was looking for a payoff.  It was just her demented way to show that she has power and that I should bow to her.  The Lilik’s have been harassing me for as long as I have been in Newton.  Mrs. Lilik has a title and so she wants to drag the township in to do her dirty work.

I am not concerned about the permit.  I am concerned with people that abuse their title.  The permit is issued by the State not Newton Township.  There is no vote.  The planning agency is an advisory board for the supervisors and there is nothing for the supervisors to vote on.

There are forms that are required to be completed by the township.  The Township secretary completes most of the forms and secretary did everything that is required.  The supervisors are not required to do anything.  There is a form that the planning commission is required to complete but the chairperson of the planning commission refused to complete the form citing that there was some problems with the application.  

I asked the chairperson to provide in writing whatever he thinks the problems are so that we can address them.  My engineer asked if they feel that we did not do something correct from a procedural standpoint to cite what it is.  The chairperson agreed to do so but we received nothing and it is my understanding they turned it over to the Township engineer.  Their word is worthless.

The waste of taxpayer’s money begun.  There is no engineering involved and the State has engineers if needed at no cost to the township.  There it is a simple yes and no questioner that the planning commission is required to complete with some really difficult questions to answer.  Such as, does the township have a zoning ordinance?  Is there a municipal subdivision ordinance and on.

I would be delighted to have the Lilik’s tell their story on this website instead of sneaking around scaring old people but do not count on it.  They may come on here with an alias and talk about how great the Lilik’s are but do not expect anything of substance.  :D

[Sal]

Update:

I had a meeting with the County Planning Commission today.  The county is required to complete a form that is almost identical to the form that the Newton Planning Commission is required to complete.

They looked at the plot plan and said that it looked very nice and then completed the form.  There was no hoopla, no accusations or insinuation The whole process to less than 10 minutes.

That is the difference between professionals and an amateur with a little title that looks to cause trouble.  

I keep in close contact with State officials.  When the Planning Commission refused to complete the form that is required by the State, I contacted the officials and informed them.  They told me that I did not need to be concerned because the State will take care of that.

Again, I want to emphasize that I am not concerned about the permit or what the planning commission does or does not do.

I am simply bringing to your attention that we have a serious problem within the Newton Township Planning commission.  Karen Lilik needs to be removed and the Supervisors need to straighten out the Planning commission and to tell them to stop fooling around and do what they are suppose to be doing.

Another problem but to a lesser degree is Scott Haan.  He as the chairperson of the planning commission, could have easily kept Mrs. Lilik in order, and completed the form.  Instead, Mrs. Lilik tells him to jump and he says, how high.  Any observer can clearly see that there is something going on between those two.

[cass]

I went to a few Planning commission  meetings.  Sal Pileggi was presenting info on his septic system.  He had all of the DEP approvals and was just submitting a checklist for the planning commission.  Karen Lilik went out of her way to insult Sal.  She has done this sort of thing before.  

She actually asked Sal “what is the matter don’t you like women”.  If she said that to me, my wife would have called and attorney the next day.  She is using her position on the Planning Commission to go after people she dose not like.

This behavior is going to put the township in a bad position and could be sued because of her actions.  She is a liability to the township.

Sal Pileggi is a business owner who employs several local township people.  Why would the township not support a small business owner.  

If  Newtown township is going to have people like Karen Lilik on ANY of the boards,  then they need to change the sign in front of the Township building.

It should read “WELLCOME TO NEWTON TOWNSHIP, LOOK AROUND AND GET OUT”.