People talked with one another outside Milford Borough Hall while the Pike County Humane Society Board of Directors held an executive session at their September meeting (Photo by Frances Ruth Harris)
Milford. Pike County Humane Society’s court hearing did not take place as scheduled on Oct. 18.
It was to hear merits of the emergency petition contesting the removal of Janet Heim from the board of directors and seeking to remove the current directors from the board. The suit was brought by Heim and Barbara Lippincott.
Council for the humane society filed last-minute preliminary objections to the petition on on Oct. 15.
The humane society is represented by Freeman Mathis & Gary in Philadelphia. The humane society’s pro bono attorney, Eric Hamill, accompanied the Philadelphia attorney, Justin Boron, to the Pike County Courthouse. The met with Ronald M. Bugaj, who is representing the plaintiffs.
Bugaj said he received copy of the preliminary objections at seven minutes to five on Friday, Oct. 15.
“Presiding Judge Gregory Chelak will be scheduling an argument on these objections likely in mid-November if they are not resolved by agreement of counsel or if petitioner files an amended petition,” Bugaj told the Courier in an email. “Counsel for both sides spent approximately two hours meeting and discussing ways to resolve some or all of the underlying issues set forth in the petition. While no stipulation could be finalized by the time the court adjourned later that afternoon, both parties believe some progress was made and will continue negotiating a partial resolution going forward. Since there is no total agreement on any one issue now, there is no comment to report on the negotiations.”
