Latrobe is searching for a new city secretary and director of finance and administration.

City manager Michael Gray declined to discuss the departure of Roxanne Shadron, who recently held the dual positions.

Two people had applied for the vacancy as of Monday, Gray said. He said the city will allow a grace period for those who miss the advertised deadline for submitting resumes, on Friday.

“If you wait until June, it might be too late,” he said. “Hopefully, by June, we should have someone hired in that position.”

He said city officials have not settled on a salary for the new hire.

Shadron was hired for the Latrobe position in July 2019, at an initial salary of $52,000. She previously had served as finance director for Ligonier Township.

She recently announced a write-in campaign for Ligonier Township supervisor. Republicans Daniel Resenic and Erik Ross are the sole listed candidates on the May 18 primary ballot for respective six-year and four-year terms on the Ligonier Township governing board.

Latrobe Council on Monday appointed assistant city secretary Karen Meholic as interim city secretary. Meholic, who will receive no additional compensation, took on similar responsibilities in 2019, following the departure of Shadron’s predecessor, Holly Peton, to accept other employment.

“We wanted to make it official by resolution,” Gray said of Meholic’s current fill-in role. “That way, if Karen has to sign any documents, she’s authorized to do so, including any type of resolutions and ordinances that we have.”

Council on Monday approved an amended ordinance to beef up requirements for candidates for Latrobe fire chief.

The revised ordinance spells out various training courses that candidates must have completed, including one on fire and arson investigations, and notes that they must be members in good standing of the city fire department, in accordance with its bylaws, Gray said.

Previously, chief candidates were required only to have at least 10 years of firefighting experience, including five with the Latrobe department, and to reside within a 5-mile radius of the central fire station.

School zone light project OK’d

Council accepted a low bid of $127,000 from Bronder Technical Services, of Prospect, for installation of flashing lights that will alert motorists on streets bordering Latrobe Elementary School to a reduced 15 mph speed limit when students arrive and depart on weekdays.

Gray expressed hope that the school zone light project still can be completed within the $122,000 state grant the city received for the safety improvement. Otherwise, the city would cover the difference.

“The bid was put in at a higher amount than was anticipated because of the cost of materials,” Gray said. “It’s still unknown. A lot of manufacturers are not really giving actual costs until the orders are placed because the cost of metal is fluctuating multiple times a day, as far as shipping.”

The city wants to complete the project before students return to school next fall, he said.

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