New Sewickley manager begins borough career

Donna Kaib has begun a new professional chapter in her life, this one as Sewickley’s new borough manager.

Councilman Jeff Neff said on Aug. 25 that officials have had some time to introduce themselves and he believes Kaib is going a good job so far, while “getting her feet wet.”

Kaib worked for Reserve Township for the past 17 years, including the last five as its manager, before coming to Sewickley.

She also was its tax collector, treasurer, secretary, assistant manager and Right-to-Know officer.

Kaib was hired via 8-0 vote at an Aug. 10 council meeting. Councilman Tom Rostek was absent.

Her first day was Aug. 19.

“I am very excited and look forward to working with the borough council, mayor, residents and business owners. I am honored to have been chosen as Sewickley Borough’s manager,” Kaib said via email Aug. 11.

Kaib did not return multiple follow-up calls seeking comment.

Elected officials declined to reveal the manager’s salary during the council meeting.

The Tribune-Review filed a Right-to-Know form requesting the information from the borough, as well as a copy of the offer of employment letter on Aug. 17. The borough provided the information via email Aug. 20.

Kaib’s starting salary at the at-will position is $92,000.

Councilwoman Julie Barnes was a member of the manager search committee. There were 20 candidates for the position and five were interviewed.

“I think she seems like a great people person,” Barnes said of Kaib. “She seems to have a heart for public service. She rose her way through the ranks in her previous experience. She has handled a lot of issues that would mirror the kind of issues that we would see here.”

Kaib will formally replace Marla Marcinko, who was terminated in May after a closed-door discussion. Her firing was not listed on the May 11 meeting agenda. Her last day as a borough employee was May 28. She had been the borough’s top administrator since April 2019.

The Tribune-Review obtained a recording of the controversial May council meeting. It is available to view online.