Richland hires new manager for 1st time since 1981

A Richland native is the new township manager.

The board of supervisors on June 19 authorized the appointment of Brian O’Malley, a Pine-Richland High School graduate, as manager/secretary/treasurer, effective July 5 at an annual salary of $137,800.

O’Malley started work in Richland on June 17, replacing Dean Bastianini, who was hired as township manager in 1981. His last day of work will be July 5.

The retiring manager had his whole family in attendance for his last official township meeting. Bastianini’s grandchildren sat with him as he presided over the June 19 meeting.

The Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department presented Bastianini with a plaque commemorating his nearly 43 years of service to the township.

“We just want to give you a small token of our appreciation for years of service to our community,” a VFD representative said. “We really appreciate your guidance and everything you do. Thank you for your prolonged and unwavering support to the township fire department. We congratulate you and wish you the best of luck in your retirement.”

Capt. Bryan DeWick of the Northern Regional Police Department also offered his congratulations to Bastianini before he presented the police department report.

“I’d love to offer my congratulations to Dean. Our many thanks for your years of service both to Richland and Northern Regional,” DeWick said.

Bastianini drew comparisons between the United States’ founders and township supervisors during his outgoing manager’s report.

“Under our system, the Founding Fathers and the Richland Board of Supervisors work to reach compromises, and when possible, consensus on issues over which they have disagreements,” Bastianini said. “If they’re successful in getting that consensus and those compromises, the result is wise decisions which promote the best interest of the community.

“That’s why I’ve enjoyed working with the board these many years,” he continued. “What we’ve done is rare. It’s unusual. It’s something to be proud of. We’ve been part of the American tradition of self-government.

“As I look back on that body of work which we have done together, I am satisfied and content knowing that we have done our best to live up to the American ideal of self-government. Consequently, I’m ready and happy passing the baton of that responsibility to a new manager.”

Bastianini then turned things over to Supervisor Ray Kendrick.

“The board members at this table went through a process of looking for a new manager. One of the things we wanted was to replace Dean Bastianini, but nobody is going to replace Dean Bastianini. However, I think we ended up with a man that can work his way into being a Dean Bastianini in the short term,” Kendrick said before the board voted to appoint O’Malley.

O’Malley most recently served as municipal manager in McCandless, a post he held since August 2022. He served a term as a Richland supervisor, from January 2006 to December 2009.

He remarked on Bastianini’s legacy during the incoming manager’s report.

“It’s extremely tough to follow Dean. I’m humbled and honored to be able to address the community as the newly appointed township manager here in Richland. It’s with a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility that I step into this role. I’m keenly aware of the trust you have placed in me to serve our township,” O’Malley said.

“First and foremost, I want to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable 42-plus year career of Dean Bastianini,” he continued. “Throughout his tenure, he has been a steadfast pillar of leadership, guiding our township through decades of growth and change. His dedication and unwavering commitment to the welfare of our community have left an incredible mark on Richland Township.

“Dean not only managed to handle township affairs with diligence and foresight, he also served as a mentor to many, including myself. In fact, one of the reasons that I ventured towards a career in local government was based on the lessons and conversations that I had with Dean when I served on this board of supervisors.”

O’Malley called his vision for the township “a commitment to ensuring transparency in government, fostering responsible growth and enhancing the quality of life for all of our residents.”

“I thank you again for the opportunity to serve Richland Township,” he said. “I have huge shoes to fill, and I look forward to working alongside all of you and the residents to continue to make Richland Township a place we can be proud to call home.”