Details need attention during borough manager transition
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Hiring an interim borough manager was just the first step to keeping Greencastle running. Council members have discovered that a multitude of details must be attended to as Ken Womack covers managerial duties following the resignation of Ken Myers Jr. Womack's tenure has been contracted through Keystone Municipal Services.

At a special meeting Nov. 14, borough council appointed Womack interim zoning and code enforcement officer.

It also discussed loose ends that couldn't be left dangling until a permanent manager is hired.

Myers had turned in the credit card he used for borough business. Administrative assistant Ann Amsley informed the council members the bank would cancel the account once it had a written note from the borough office. The members present, Harry Foley, Harold Duffey, Charles Eckstine, Chris Grimm and Gerald Pool voted that that be done.

Myers had also turned in his borough cell phone. Amsley was directed to find out the cancellation fee for the account versus carrying it until a new manager is hired. Womack said he had his own phone and preferred to use that.

Since Myers and former employees know the combination to the borough safe, the council members debated whether to change the number. The borough also did not have an updated list of who had what keys for the main door and other locks.

Womack has a master key, but said he had no desire to know the combination to the safe.

"We're in a revolving door process," said Grimm. "The jury is out on changing locks now. We've engaged these folks (Keystone). They're professionals. I think we can trust them with a key."

The council decided to wait until a permanent manager is hired before changing security systems. Once the new council is seated in January it will also discuss which employees should have borough credit cards.

Amsley asked for clarity on Womack's responsibilities, since part of his direction was to assess the work of the office staff. She said that was not a problem but it was time-consuming if he needed to keep up with all of Myers' former duties.

Eckstine expected him to do all that Myers did, since Womack will be providing an evaluation of borough operations when his service is over.

Womack said, "We're trying to strike the right balance to keep the permits and routine stuff on track. I'll do the high priority items first and work my way down."

Duffey said Womack had already offered a suggestion on streamlining one office task.

Other business

Womack said borough solicitor Melissa Dively had received a letter from Richard Myers' attorney in Carlisle. Myers complained at the previous meeting of disruptions to his yard when the borough made improvements to Ridge Avenue. The firm of Saidis, Flower and Lindsay wished to set up a meeting with the borough engineer to discuss a proposed resolution.

Foley said the Finance Committee was not sure it wanted to recommend an audit of borough records as a result of Ken Myers' resignation Nov. 9, since it is so close to the end of the year.

The council hopes to advertise for the manager position after the December meeting, but members wanted more input on the job description.