Greene county employees receive pay increase
WAYNESBURG – Several Greene County employees started the New Year with salary increases, after the county salary board approved their raises last week. District Attorney Marjorie Fox asked the board to accept the resignation of Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Davis, effective Jan. 15, and asked that her quarter-time position be combined with Assistant District Attorney Ricardo J. Cicconi’s quarter-time position, making him a half-time employee at a salary of $27,462. The board approved both of Fox’s motions unanimously.
The board also approved the hiring of Michael Bigley to serve as assistant public defender, with a portion of his salary paid for by a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Greene County Public Defender Harry Cancelmi said most of Bigley’s work will focus on representing juveniles and young adults, while one-fourth of his time will be used on regular public defender work.
Bigley, who served as an assistant counsel for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, is originally from Greensboro and is returning to Greene County to take the position. Cancelmi said Bigley will be permitted to do some administrative work along with his new position, just as long as it doesn’t interfere with his county work.
Under the maintenance department, the board approved the reclassification of Kevin Gray from acting buildings and grounds director to a permanent status. Gray served in the interim capacity since the resignation of Bill Ross last January, and the board approved a salary increase for Gray to $34,946, effective Jan. 1.
Meanwhile, Jeff Novak was promoted to assistant director, and his salary was increased to $32,000. Commission Chairman Dave Coder said the increases are in line with what had been paid to the previous people in those positions, and he said both men are part of an important crew that the county relies on heavily.
Also in maintenance, Richard Hopkins was hired as county fleet manager, at a salary of $29,500, effective Jan. 2. Hopkins will help the county maintain vehicles that are used for the transportation program, and a portion of his salary will be reimbursed by Community Action Southwest, with which the county contracts for transportation.
Chief clerk Gene Lee said the county stands to save money by doing most of the vehicle maintenance work in-house, and he said CAS is in support of the new position.
“We could save lots in the long run,” he said. “We have the garage, we have most of the equipment, and we have already budgeted for the position.”
Human resources director Tracy Zivkovich said some of Hopkins’ duties include making sure all of the vehicles are inspected regularly and undergo the state inspection annually, complete all necessary paperwork required by the state for the transportation program and to conduct regular maintenance on all the vehicles.
The board also conducted the following business:
– Voted to reclassify Doug Murray in the information technology department and Frances Pratt, director of elections, a move that increased their salaries to $28,432, effective Jan. 1
– Voted to reclassify Dave Patterson, first deputy in the sheriff’s office, to increase his salary to $28,031, effective Jan. 1
– Voted to reclassify Kim Moninger, county grant writer, to increase her salary to $25,710, effective Jan. 1. Ann Bargerstock, county director of planning and development, said Moninger has been responsible for bringing $4 million in grant money to Greene County over the past four years.
– Reclassified J. Allen Blaker from acting parks and recreation director to a permanent status. Blaker has served in the acting capacity since the resignation of Jamie Scott in August. Blaker’s new salary is $38,000.
– Hired Janine Mansel as a telecommunication officer in the 911 center at $8.92 an hour, effective Jan. 5.
– Decided that the board will meet the third Thursday of the month, after the commissioners’ regular meeting. The next salary board meeting is scheduled Feb. 20.