Politics & Government

Council Discusses Salary Increases for Two Staff Members

Hellertown Borough Council tabled a vote on the increases pending meetings with the Assistant Borough Manager/Finance Officer and Administrative Assistant/Assistant Finance Officer.

A vote on whether or not to approve budgeted salary increases for two Hellertown Borough staff members was tabled by Borough Council Aug. 1, after councilwoman Gail Nolf suggested that council speak directly with Assistant Borough Manager/Finance Officer Tina Krasnansky and Administrative Assistant/Assistant Finance Officer Angie Bauer about their job performance before approving the increases.

"I'm not saying I have a problem with (the raises)," Nolf said.

However, she said she would like to hear from the employees about how their job duties have changed since they assumed the additional responsibilities associated with the newly-created Assistant Borough Manager and Assistant Finance Officer positions.

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Nolf added that she also wants to speak to the employees about how they have been meeting goals.

Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said she is unable to accurately assess the employees' performance since they assumed their new duties, since the changes in their jobs coincided with .

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"I'm not able to make an analysis because I don't know what these two employees did prior to me coming here...therefore I can't make a comparison," she said.

Kichline added that she has prepared job descriptions for the positions and is also working on an employment manual for borough staff, as well as performance appraisals.

Councilman Tom Rieger, during discussion, said he does not plan to support the salary increases because he was never in support of them.

"I haven't supported this since Day One," he said.

"This has nothing to do with Cathy (Kichline) and this has nothing to do with these two individuals," he added.

Council members agreed to meet with Bauer and Krasnansky in executive session prior to the start of the Aug. 15 council meeting, at which council is expected to vote on approval of the raises.

The 6:30pm meeting will be held behind closed doors because it involves personnel matters.


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