Former North Franklin supervisor promoted to township manager
A former North Franklin Township supervisor who lost her re-election bid in November received a promotion Tuesday to manager of the municipality.
The promotion of Martha Ward appeared to come as a surprise at a township meeting to Bob Sabot, the man who defeated her to take a seat on the board.
“I’m dumbfounded,” said Sabot, who cast the only no vote on the promotion.
He then suggested the promotion was discussed behind his back.
“We need a township manager,” responded board chairman Ron Junko, who voted yes on the matter along with supervisor Silvio Passalacqua.
Ward worked as a part-time North Franklin secretary/treasurer for several years with her salary set earlier this month at $15 an hour for 20 hours a week.
Her hours won’t change, but she is on track to receive a raise of $5 an hour, Junko said.
“She’s good. That’s what kills me,” Junko said. “She’s good.”
Ward said she knows the township well.
“I think I can be helpful to the residents,” she said.
In other business Tuesday the supervisors will advertise amendments to the local open burning ordinance to increase the hours in which burning is permitted Tuesdays and Saturdays. The hours will increase from noon to 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Burning on other days will require a township permit.