Harrison irons out details of Michael Klein's retirement, part-time rehiring until new police chief is found

Harrison has a game plan for the final portion of police Chief Michael Klein’s tenure.

The township commissioners voted 4-1 Monday night to accept the longtime chief’s retirement, effective Oct. 28.

However, he then will be brought back Oct. 31 on a part-time basis as superintendent of police and will serve until June 30, 2023.

At that point, the commissioners hope to have a new police chief in place when the superintendent position expires.

After his retirement as chief, Klein, 64, will be paid $3,307 biweekly as superintendent of police. He won’t be allow to work more than 32 hours per week. That salary is 80% of his current pay.

Township Manager John Pallone said Klein will be part of the screening process for a new chief, but the commissioners will make the final choice. Candidates from outside the township will be considered, along with Harrison police officers looking to move up in the ranks.

Some of the residents who packed the Harrison meeting room Monday praised Klein for his 38 years on the job, including the past 28 as chief.

“It’s a win-win situation for the township and the police department and one of the finest chiefs we have in Western Pennsylvania,” said J. Rodney Duster, a local funeral director.

But resident Dylan Seelnacht asked about a contract from three years ago that, it was thought, would lead to Klein’s retirement.

Seelnacht inquired about a “succession plan” that was proposed then and asked if it is time “to usher in new blood.”

Pallone said that Klein does not currently have a contract.

“I wasn’t here three years ago, but I know that there were a lot of comments made at the meeting that weren’t accurate,” Pallone said Tuesday afternoon.

Klein and the commissioners previously signed off on paperwork relative to the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), an initiative that Harrison participates in.

“There was terminology in the agreement that wasn’t accurate and, as a result, there were issues that needed to be addressed at the meeting,” Pallone said.

He said the current offer to Klein extends only through June 30.

“We have already started the process and remain cautiously optimistic to find a chief to come here or to look from within,” Pallone said.

Resident Karen Wantland said it was up to commissioners to hold Klein to the agreement but said he has done a great job and established a “lasting legacy.”

Commissioners’ President Gary Meanor and board members Eric Bengel, James Erb Jr. and Jamie Nee voted in favor of the package while Chuck Dizard opposed.

“I voted no based on seven years as a commissioner with a commitment to honesty, transparency and improving the quality of life in our community for all residents and taxpayers,” Dizard said.

Klein left the meeting after the action without comment.

George Guido is a Tribune-Review contributing writer. Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 724-226-7726, tpanizzi@triblive.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib.