Connellsville Twp.
Auditors push to put 3 in pension plan CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – A request by a current working supervisor to be included in a pension plan will also benefit two former township officials, according to action taken Wednesday by auditors.
Marlene Grenell, auditor chairman, said that current roadmaster and Supervisor Bob Carson will be enrolled in the state-funded, non-uniform pension plan immediately and inquiries will be made to have the state also enroll former Supervisors Donnie Hann and Charles Basinger for their years of service.
The mid-year meeting was called at Carson’s request to discuss his benefit and salary packages. Carson was appointed in May as a roadmaster for the township.
Hann, who resigned in May and replaced by Carson, also attended the special meeting.
“As an employee of the township, you are entitled to the benefit,” said township solicitor Richard Bower, noting that both Hann and Basinger had been working supervisors during their term of office.
Initially the auditors had tabled action until further research was conducted.
However, following a nearly 45-minute executive session for personnel matters, Grenell, along with auditors John Malone and Bob Goodwin returned and instead, voted to immediately enroll Carson and determine if the state would consider the request to add Hann and Basinger.
According to Bower, the township enrolled in the state pension plan in 1995, but had not extended the benefit to all eligible employees.
Supervisor Chairman Rick Adobato informed Hann that the township would make every effort to have him and Basinger included in the program as soon as possible.
“This is not an option, you are entitled,” he said.
Turning to a related matter, the auditors additionally agreed that Hann was eligible to receive payment for unused 2009 and 2010 vacation days.
According to Grenell, the township must reimburse Hann for 88.5 hours of vacation time at an hourly rate of $16.25 for a total of $1,438.
Goodwin said that Hann had “earned” the payment and should be compensated.
Adobato indicated that the supervisors would authorize the payment at its meeting tonight.
In other action, the auditors additionally agreed to a $16.75 hourly wage for Carson and authorized the township to pay his $180 per month insurance premium.
Auditors table taking action concerning Carson’s request to receive the same number of personal days as other township employees or to calculate his vacation time based on his previous tenure as a supervisor or part time employee.