Supervisor’s Heart Attack Necessitates Emergency Hires
East Franklin Township Working Supervisor (seen during a public meeting earlier this year) reportedly suffered a heart attack two weeks ago and will be recovering indefinitely. Because of his recovery, the other two supervisors hired a temporary wastewater operator and a back-up operator. (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A pair of emergency wastewater operators were hired by two sitting East Franklin Township supervisors yesterday morning after their colleague reportedly suffered a heart attack earlier this month.
East Franklin Township Supervisor David Stewart, the township working supervisor who is plant operator for the local water treatment facilities, reportedly suffered a heart attack Thursday, October 1.
Supervisor Chair Barry Peters and Vice-Chair Dan Goldinger hired David Johns as Temporary Wastewater Operator and William J. Turberville as Backup Operator during a short special meeting yesterday morning.
Both men reportedly work at the Worthington-West Franklin Joint Municipal Authority, and were even asked by Stewart himself to help out.
Turberville is not considered a temporary employee.
Peters said Stewart is recovering at home.
“We don’t know how long he’ll be off work,” Peters said.
CWM Environmental, of Rayburn Township - who regularly performs water testing at the East Franklin Township facilities - also acted as back-up operators during the past two weeks.
Stewart remains an elected official in the municipality - a position he will hold until January 2020.
Stewart - who earned his state certification in May - has been the working supervisor since leaders began acquiring grant funds to build the treatment facilities in 2011. Prior to working for the township, he worked in construction and owned the Worthington Exxon gas station.
There are about 250 sewage customers that hook up to the township facilities. Other township homes are serviced by the West Hills Area Water Pollution Control Authority.
In January, Part-time Road Employee Chris Giron was also hired to work at the sewage treatment plants on an as-needed basis at his current rate.
In other special notices, a public hearing will be held at the township building next week - at 10AM Thursday, October 22 - to discuss Community Development Block Grant funding.
Local News | jweaver October 14, 2015
