Former Chairman Hired as Parks Director; Residents Question Process

In just a few moments Tuesday, lost its board chairman and gained a full-time parks and recreation director after Greg Sulc resigned only to be hired a few moments later.

Moments before the board was to consider the motion to approve the hiring of the director, Sulc stopped the meeting and read from a written statement.

"For the past seven-and-a-half years I had had the opportunity to serve the fastest-growing community in Washington County—North Strabane Township—as supervisor," he said. "I have been a resident of this wonderful township for nearly 42 years, 'home grown in Eighty Four' as some of the residents would say. As a child I watched my township grow through the guidance of our township supervisors. Little did I realize that one day I would be proud to say I am a North Strabane supervisor."

Sulc then went through a list of the board's accomlishments over the past almost eight years—from its comprehensive plan, to zoning changes to taxes maintained at the same level for 18 years.

And after thanking his fellow supervisors, the township staff, residents and his family, he resigned, stood up and walked to sit in the audience section of the meeting room.

After the four remaining board members voted Supervisor Steve Motzer in as temporary chairman, the board accepted the resignation by a vote of 3-1. Supervisor Bill Brooks cast the dissenting vote.

Then Supervisor Jeff Stanley made a motion to hire Sulc for the parks and recreation post. The motion was seconded by Motzer and passed by a vote of 3-1.

Brooks again voted no, and after the meeting explained: "I have no doubt he will do a great job, but for a few political reasons, I had to vote no."

He declined to comment further.

Sulc's salary was set at $60,000 a year with benefits. He will be subject to a six-month probation period. His first day on the job is today.

After the vote was taken, the former chairman then strode to the lectern to again thank the board during the public comment period.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime that I will not take for granted," he said. "If you think I was involved in the township before, you haven't seen anything yet."

But other residents had questioned the hiring process, the need for a full-time director and why the appointment was made before North Strabane's $7.65 million municipal park opens next year.

Residents also questioned why a part-time parks director was not considered, and why the township's parks and recreation board was not involved in the interviewing process.

They also wondered how the new director position, and the parks and recreation department, would be funded.

Township Manager Frank Siffrinn explained that he and four supervisors interviewed 15 candidates for the position before narrowing the field to three.

Then the supervisors and Siffrinn met with the final three applicants, who made a presentation based on a project assigned during the interview process.

As for a part-time director, he said that wasn't on the table.

"We needed someone in a full-time capacity," he told residents. "We do have some "

Siffrinn added that the board was hiring the director now in preparation for the unveiling of its multi-million park project—and that planning, budgeting and programming tasks would need to be completed prior to its opening next year.

He also added that the director's salary—and the parks and recreation department—will be funded through proceeds of the township's lease agreement with Range Resources. He said the more than $200,000 the township received as an upfront payment for the lease agreement had been earmarked for that purpose, and that expected royalties from any drilling would help sustain that fund.

Siffrinn added that while the township will likely enlist the help of one or two public works employees to help with park and recreation duties seasonally, the board may consider hiring one or two part-time positions for the department.

"But that decision has yet to be finalized by the board," he said.

After discussion regarding the parks and recreation director ended, the board then reorganized. Motzer was voted chairman. Brooks will serve as vice chair.

It was unclear who would replace Sulc on the board, or how that process would be handled.