Newtown Borough is looking add the position of borough manager, but it has not yet decided if the council will fill the position.
On Tuesday evening, Newtown Borough Council approved the advertisement of an ordinance amendment that would allow for the creation of a borough manager role in the borough’s code to oversee day-to-day operations.
Presently, the borough does not have a manager. Council members, the borough secretary, and Treasurer Patricia Ours carry out the business of the municipality.
In June, Ours submitted a letter that she will be resigning by November 1. She has handled the financial operations for the borough for more than 25 years.
The proposed amendment to the borough’s ordinances would create the borough manager position. The manager would be tasked with “supervising and conducting the administrative affairs of the borough, as authorized and directed by borough council.”
Councilmember Emily Heinz, who chaired the council meeting this week, said the municipality is working to find a replacement for Ours before she leaves.
If the ordinance is approved by council at the August meeting, the creation of the borough manager position doesn’t mean the council will decide to go in that direction, Heinz said.
“We have to create a new position just in case,” she stated.
Members of council are exploring options to fill the treasurer role.
Kris Bauman, who was sworn onto council in June, stated “it is important” the borough considers options to hire officials to help run the town.
Charles Machion, a former Newtown Borough councilman, raised worry that adding a new position would increase the borough’s budget. He called the addition of a borough manager a “significant change” that could double the cost of non-sworn personnel over what is presently in the budget.
Resident Joe Lovi offered council his feedback on the situation. He told council the borough should be moving quicker to find a replacement for Ours.
Speaking to council, Lovi said he doesn’t believe a borough manager will want to take on the financial duties Ours presently handles.
Pat Foster, a resident and Newtown Borough Environmental Advisory Council member, told the council he was concerned about the timing of the consideration of adding a borough manager job.
