Kiski Township needs to replace another supervisor, secretary, assistant after resignations

After filling one supervisor vacancy, Kiski Township needs to replace another supervisor and two employees following more resignations this month.

The supervisors accepted the resignations of Supervisor Mark Kendall, Township Secretary Patrick Bono and administrative assistant Jerrilyn Mollick on Wednesday, all effective that day.

Bono left the supervisors’ meeting after a motion was made to approve job responsibilities and “new terms for all secretarial staff.”

A vote was not taken.

Bono indicated he had not seen them prior to the meeting. He said he would be losing $4 per hour and a week’s vacation before picking up his keys, shaking hands with Kendall and Supervisor Chuck Rodnicki and walking out to applause from the audience.

Chairwoman Brittany Hilliard and Supervisor Mary Long said they wanted to review the document with the employees first.

“We wanted to give it to the employees prior to this,” Hilliard said.

Hilliard said the only reason that was not done was because Rodnicki insisted they vote first. Rodnicki said he wanted to discuss it, vote and then present it to them.

“I’ve stated many times, take off your employees who are gonna walk out,” Rodnicki said, pointing to Bono’s empty chair. “That’s one of them right there.”

Kendall noted the township gave raises to more than three-quarters of its employees in public works and police.

“You got three employees that you want to cut their hours, you want to cut their wages. You’re asking for a lawsuit slapped in your face,” Kendall said.

Kendall was no longer present when supervisors reconvened their meeting after an executive session.

Hilliard did not respond to TribLive requests for comment. Kendall and Bono also did not respond to requests for comment.

The township is seeking letters of interest to replace Kendall, whose term is through the end of the year. Those letters are due by 4 p.m. Monday.

The township also is seeking letters of interest for secretary/treasurer or township manager.

Kendall’s resignation follows that of Supervisor Bryan Eckenrode. Bob Ross was appointed Wednesday to replace Eckenrode. Hilliard abstained from that vote, saying she didn’t have enough time to consider the candidates.

“You had as much time as we did,” Rodnicki said.

After accepting the three resignations, the four supervisors voted unanimously to put themselves in charge of various duties.

Hilliard was named the township’s temporary Right-to-Know Law officer.

Long was given three duties — temporary secretary, temporary records management officer and pension plan administrator pending confirmation of qualifications.

Ross was named temporary flood plain administrator and safety committee representative.

Rodnicki was placed in charge of public works.

A temporary treasurer was not appointed after there was no response to Hilliard’s call for a motion to do so.

Coming up

Supervisors will present and vote on a proposed amended 2025 township budget during a rescheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at the township building, 1222A Old State Road.

The amended budget is available for public inspection at the township building.

The budget is being amended to account for the tax increase and the revenue it will bring. It will also correct how money related to the school resource officer at Apollo-Ridge is categorized, breaking it out into its own line item.

Earlier this month, supervisors approved a $1.72 million budget carrying a 32% property tax increase.

The township’s tax rate was increased by 1.75 mills, from 5.5 mills to 7.25 mills. The owner of a home assessed at $21,100 would see their township property tax bill increase by $37, from $116 to $153.