Search for borough manager continues in Jefferson Hills

Jefferson Hills officials continue their search for a new borough manager.

John P. Stinner resigned as top administrator earlier this year. He had been borough manager since early July 2019.

Stinner also served as Blawnox’s manager for two years prior to coming to Jefferson Hills.

The manager’s salary this year was budgeted at just under $111,000.

Council members declined to discuss the reason for Stinner’s departure.

“We appreciated his service to the borough,” council president Melissa Steffey said after a meeting July 8.

The position was posted. Resumes and references are being accepted by the borough office through the end of this month.

Borough engineer Michael Glister was appointed acting secretary/manager May 1.

Council ratified approval of a separation agreement with Stinner May 8.

Council members declined to discuss the agreement. A Right-to-Know request was submitted July 8 by TribLive, which was granted.

A copy of the agreement was emailed on July 15.

Compensation listed in the former manager’s eight-page separation agreement includes six months of medical insurance for him and his family through Oct. 31.

His last day of work was listed as April 4.

However, the agreement states he was on paid administrative leave through April 26 with that date as his last day as a borough employee.

The borough would execute a “neutral letter of reference” to prospective future employers who request such information.

The agreement said that Stinner also agrees not to sue the borough, its past, present or future elected officials, employees, administrators and others and discharges any and all claims concerning his employment.

Glister’s salary this year as engineer was budgeted at nearly $95,000. He continues to serve as engineer but was bumped up to the manager compensation level.

“It’s a lot,” Glister said about serving in both capacities. “There’s a lot of moving pieces here for sure.”

Glister also served as acting secretary/manager from August 2023 to February 2024.

Steffey said Glister has been with the borough for a long time and is knowledgeable.

He has served as borough engineer since March 2018. He was a project manager for Gateway Engineers for nearly nine years prior to that.

Councilman Dave Montgomery, a member of the personnel committee, declined to comment on Stinner’s service to the borough.

However, he called Glister’s work “stellar,” and said he hopes the next borough manager has some grant writing experience.

More information about the position is available at jeffersonhillsboro.org/employment.aspx.

Lease in limbo

Council unanimously voted July 8 to approve a lease agreement with Gill Hall Volunteer Fire Co. & Relief Association and the borough.

However, council members declined to say anything about its terms or why the borough wants to lease the fire station of the company it took off emergency dispatch.

Borough dolicitor Michelle McPeak Cromer said the lease was in litigation, and TribLive would have to file a Right-to-Know request to get its terms once the matter is settled.

“Right now it’s still pending and we really can’t say anything,” she said.

Gill Hall vice president Brian Hutson said the company had a special meeting scheduled later this month to discuss various issues including the lease agreement. He deferred comment until after that meeting.

Council moved to permanently decertify the volunteer fire company in April 2022 after years of going back and forth with company officials in an effort to have Gill Hall join the other two borough fire companies under one umbrella.

Jefferson 885 and Floreffe volunteer companies have responded to all calls in Gill Hall’s absence. The two are under an operational merger and are commonly called Jefferson Hills Fire Rescue.

Run cards include information for dispatchers so they know what departments to call out during an emergency. Gill Hall wanted to keep its station’s number and not be under JHFR’s card.