Borough Solicitor Alyssa E. Golfieri (left) told Council that Police Chief Michael Greenlee (right)is legally able to serve as the Borough Manager.
FORD CITY - Borough Council was clearly divided on retaining Michael Greenlee as Interim Borough Manager during last night’s public meeting.
Greenlee has been in the position of both Police Chief and Borough Manager since November 2016.
The original six-month contract with Greenlee is now completed. A motion was made by Councilwomen Beth Bowser and Kathy Bartuccio to have Greenlee continue in the position “until such a time that Borough Council fills the office of Borough Manager.”
Councilman Tyson Klukan disagreed and felt by not putting a time limit on the motion, the idea of a full-time borough manager would not become a reality.
Borough Solicitor Alyssa E. Golfieri told Council that the State Borough Code does not prohibit a police chief from also serving as a borough manager.
Councilman Marc Mantini did not object to Greenlee’s efforts, but felt that it was setting a precedent that could be dangerous if a less-honorable person were in the same position in the future.
Council woman Beth Bowser defended her motion and said she hoped the other three dissenting council members would eventually see it her way.
“During my time on Council, I have see us with a borough manager, without a borough manager, and with the police chief in the dual role. A borough manager is more favorable than none. But a borough manager by itself has not come close to the dual role the Mr. Greenlee has performed. Until the other folks on council are as confident as I am, we are extending it for an undisclosed amount of time to bring on board the other council members.”
A roll call vote was taken with Bowser, Bartuccio, and Council President Carol Fenyes voting for the motion, and Tyson Klukan, Ray Klukan, and Marc Mantini voting no - creating a tie vote.
Mayor Jeff Cogley sided with Bowser, Bartuccio, and Fenyes.
“We need to move forward and find a two-person solution if that is the choice of Council. For right now, until we come up with that, I’m a yes for community.”
Greenlee will continue as the Interim Borough Manager at a rate of $30,000 per year. That amount will be in addition to his police chief salary of $50,000 annually, a six-month review (of which he is currently scheduled), an annual review, annual increases tied to measurable milestones or goals, two weeks paid vacation, holidays the same as the borough, a $500 uniform allowance, full benefits, pension, three personal days and five sick days, according to Council President Carol Fenyes.
if he is only working half time on each job he should get paid half for each job about $40,000 a year
If he is working half the time at each job he should get half the pay for each job about $40,000 a year