By Brad Segall

LOWER MERION, Pa. (CBS) - A Lower Merion Commissioner is demanding answers about a little known township program of paying deferred compensation to about 40 management personnel, a practice she says has been going on for nearly four decades.

Commissioner Jenny Brown says a program that allows employees to defer some of their salary is a good one.., but she questions whether it’s legal for the township to contribute to that program. She uncovered that information last month during ongoing negotiations on a new contract for the township manager.

She’s called for an independent investigation to determine whether Lower Merion was authorized to make the payments and she’s heard from constituents.

“This is 300-thousand dollars after all. That’s the equivalent to, I think, a one percent property tax increase. They are concerned about how their money is being spent. They are concerned that it is not transparent.”

She says she can’t find any resolutions that allow for township contributions. She’s also concerned that some online budget documents were altered after she brought up the issue. The commissioners may address the controversy at tonight’s meeting.