New hiring draws criticism from North Fayette County Municipal Authority board member
DUNBAR TWP. – The hiring of a Connellsville man for the position of customer service manager at the North Fayette County Municipal Authority drew criticism from one board member as far as candidate qualifications and duties. Redding Bunting questioned the interview process following the board’s 4-1 decision Tuesday to hire Theodore Shal Jr. to oversee the daily operation of various departments within the authority at a starting salary of $41,000 and overtime compensation at $25 per hour.
Shal was one of four candidates interviewed for the position along with Deborah Bunting of Connellsville, which Redding Bunting said was no relation, Wilma Luick of Hopwood and Cynthia Miller, also of Connellsville.
According to the job qualifications, the candidate must have a current Pennsylvania driver’s license, knowledge of automated meter reading devices, water meters, household plumbing and required customer service information and general business applications.
A degree in computer technology with an associate in business management was preferred.
The position also included having the customer service manager manage 25 employees as well as those in the business office while reporting to the general manager, Bob Softcheck.
In addition to Bunting, other personnel committee members that conducted interviews earlier this month included Paul Kendi, authority secretary, Roberty “Tweety” Yatsko and Rich Dicenzo.
Kendi made the initial motion to hire Shal, which received a second by Yatsko.
Bunting then intervened by questioning the candidates’ qualifications in relation to the duties required for the position, which he said Deborah Bunting excelled.
“This is black and white,” Bunting added.
Bunting further alleged that several board members were making a political decision by hiring Shal.
Voting in favor of Shal were Kendi, Yatsko and Rich Dicenzo with Joe Koast and Palmer Sabatine abstaining since they didn’t participate in the interview process while H. Wayne Reese, authority chairman, refrained from voting since he also wasn’t present at that time.
“I wasn’t at the interviews and didn’t think it was fair to vote,” said Reese.
Kendi then turned to Softcheck for input since he would be working with the customer service manager.
Softcheck agreed that Shal was the best candidate after working with him for the last 17 years in the water industry. “I know what his capabilities are and know what he’s done here and elsewhere,” Softcheck said.
Kendi added that Shal holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
After voting again on the matter, Sabatine agreed to hire Shal giving the board the majority vote with Koast abstaining once again and Reese casting no vote.
Bunting remained opposed with Kendi, Yatsko and Dicenzo in favor.
Turning to other business, the board learned from Softcheck the authority provides water service to 14,585 residential customers in 21 municipalities throughout Fayette County servicing 24 percent of the population, which uses 3,872,095 gallons of water per day.
Softcheck said the authority also serves 730 commercial customers that reportedly use 265,986 gallons along with 53 industrial connections using 102,038 gallons per day.
Sales to public authorities were also said by Softcheck to amount to 95 connections using 33,929 gallons.