A group of North Huntingdon residents is expressing their concern about what the township is doing with their tax money.

At the March 16 Board of Commissioners' meeting, spokesman Michael Pochan told the commissioners that the group, which calls itself the Concerned Taxpayers of North Huntingdon, is upset about the circumstances surrounding former township manager Kelly Wolfe's departure, especially the severance package she received.

Pochan asked the board for an explanation of why Wolfe received the $94,000 package, which was more than her contract required. He went on to request that the board rescind the deal and approve the lower, contractually required amount instead.

"It is our hard earned tax dollars that you find so easy to spend," said Pochan, pointing out no explanation ever was given for Wolfe's departure or the size of the severance package.

The group, which mobilized 15 to 20 supporters to attend the meeting, started with a morning fitness regime, Pochan said in a separate interview.

"The group started from a group that works out in the morning at Blazer's Fitness Center," he said. After their daily exercise, people would gather over coffee to chat, and the discussion frequently turned to politics.

"When this thing happened with the township manager, it became a hot topic," Pochan said.

The group of residents decided to try and turn their indignation over the matter into action, and the Concerned Taxpayers group was born.

Pochan said efforts so far have focused on mobilizing support and letting people know about the organization. The group counts between 200 and 300 people on its e-mail list. Pochan said the fact that more than a dozen people showed up for the meeting on last minute notice shows people do care about the issue.

Ray Kocak also addressed the commissioners at the meeting, pointing out that ordinary citizens do not enjoy large severance payments.

"I wish I got that from any job I ever got," said Kocak, adding that the size of the payment made it seem like the township had done something wrong and was spending money to cover it up.

At least one of the commissioners agreed with their concerns.

"I have yet to get any answers other than, 'That's what it is,'" Commissioner Lee Moffatt, who voted against the severance package, told the assembled residents.

But before any discussion or explanation could ensue, township solicitor Chelsea Dice cut in. She advised the board the severance agreement with Wolfe included a confidentiality clause that prevented either party from discussing the package publicly.

"We would be violating the agreement if we discuss it," Dice said.

Dice, who did not negotiate the severance package, said while the agreement itself was a public document, the commissioners could not legally discuss the details of the package or why it was given.

Although the confidentiality clause aborted any discussion at the meeting, Pochan said the Concerned Taxpayers stillwould try to get an explanation.

While the issue of the severance package was the catalyst for the group's formation, Pochan said, a number of the board's actions had caught members' attention.

"We basically kind of got fed up with a string of things that went on with spending the taxpayers' money."

Pochan said the group will continue to recruit and keep members informed, and it plans to attend future board meetings and act as a watchdog.