Canonsburg hires new borough manager
Canonsburg has a new borough manager, and it is the belief of council that she brings a fresh perspective to the position.
Angela Senay was approved for hiring by each of the six council members in attendance at Monday night’s meeting. Councilman Eric Chandler was not in attendance.
Senay was hired effective immediately, but council President Rich Russo said he doesn’t expect her to start until around Sept. 22.
“We’ve got some housekeeping things to do, ironing out a contract, doing a minor background check,” said Russo. “She’s very excited to get started.”
Senay will replace Billie Bilko, who died July 1. In the interim, Russo was handling the borough manager duties.
Russo said Senay’s family comes primarily from the Houston area and she resides just outside of Canonsburg.
“She’s going to give us a very fresh look at the borough,” Russo said. “She does not come from a municipal governing background. She comes from a leadership, management and (human resources) background in the military.”
Senay will remain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Her military background includes serving as a human resource specialist and human resources technician
She is currently a full-time nurse at Canonsburg Hospital and runs a small business. She is leaving nursing to accept the position with the borough.
“We didn’t simply recycle a borough manager from another borough or an assistant manager from another township,” Russo said. “We wanted to think outside the box. We have a very nice support staff put together now. It’s a perfect time, particularly where Canonsburg is as we dust things off and move our town forward. We thought bringing in someone who’s unbiased to the politics of things, brings a fresh look and has a very strong interest in growing Canonsburg was the right move. … All in all, I think it’s going to be a good fit.”
Council also approved motions related to work to improve the flood protection program at Chartiers Creek. Approved were:
Payment of $18,360 to Growing Seasons Landscaping for the clearing of brush and the first application of spray herbicides;
Payment of $10,500 to A&S Landscaping for the removal of 60 trees
The advertisement of bids for maintenance procedures and outlet repairs.
“We’re looking to finish what we started down there by doing some headwall infrastructure work,” Russo said.
The steps are needed to protect the creek banks and bring the flood protection program up to the designation of “satisfactory” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Russo also said Canonsburg received a $20,000 grant from the Washington County Tourism group for a marketing/tourism video of the borough.