Sharpsburg public works department has a new foreman

Sharpsburg officials have hired a Freeport resident and former country club superintendent as their new public works foreman.

Council unanimously voted Feb. 27 to ratify the employment of Mark Marshall as the department head.

“I was looking for a new adventure in life,” Marshall said after the meeting. He had started working for the borough the week before.

The 1997 Highlands High School grad was selected out of about 30 candidates, including three finalists.

Marshall has multiple ties to the Alle-Kiski Valley. His grandparents, the late Bob and Peg Singer, owned and operated the Do Drop Inn for decades in the Natrona Heights neighborhood of Harrison.

Marshall credits a group of friends for getting him involved in road repairs and related work.

“I really enjoy the outside work,” he said. “One thing led to another, and it’s just snowballed. I like to learn new things. That’s basically why I’m here. I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life, but I’m looking for a career at this point. It seems like a perfect fit.”

Marshall, 46, served as superintendent at River Forest Country Club in Allegheny Township for about a year before accepting the Sharpsburg job. He managed the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the estimated 300-acre property.

Marshall said he also worked for years at Saxon Golf Course in Clinton Township and was in superintendent training at that facility learning about turf stormwater management.

He also has at least 10 years of experience in the asphalt industry working for different companies, including White’s Paving.

Work included being a roller operator on various paving projects. Marshall also has various pesticide certifications.

He hopes to hit the ground running on some recreation upgrades and examine borough roads.

“I have lawn and turf in my core,” he said. “That’s probably what I’m best at. It’s what I’ve been doing for the last seven or eight years. One thing I hope to do is improve the ball fields a little bit — get them on a fertilization schedule and things of that nature and beautify the scenery.”

Council members and Borough Manager Christine DeRunk said they were excited to bring on board a person with a lot of experience in construction as well as landscape management.

“We’re excited about the skills that you’re going to bring to town,” DeRunk said. “It’s going to be a great benefit, I think, to the (public works) team in terms of knowledge and skills, but also with extensive background supervising people.”

Councilman Corey Ochai said Marshall’s addition brings the department back up to full strength. Public works was a man down after laborer John Scovern resigned in January

“We’re all excited to have a three-man crew again,” Ochai said.

Marshall takes over for Dominic Magnelli, who stepped down from administration to return as public works laborer. His starting salary is about $27 per hour.

Magnelli, who has been with the department for several years, was promoted to foreman in June 2023 following the departure of public works director Joel Carmody.

DeRunk said the department’s performance was “elevated” with Magnelli as its leader.

“You’ve been a great asset to the team and just glad that you’ll be sticking around,” DeRunk said.

Magnelli did not give a reason as to why he stepped down, but praised his administrative replacement.

“(Marshall) brings a lot of knowledge,” he said. “It’s awesome. Me and (laborer) Frank (Bagnato) get along with him well. We’ve had a great week and are very excited for things to come.”

The borough budgeted about $150,000 for paving this year. One road that is expected to be addressed is Ali Street.

A final list of roads to be paved has not yet been released.