At its 2014 reorganization meeting Tuesday, the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority introduced two managers it hired in December 2013:
- Stephen E. Ulceski, Ashland, former borough manager for the Borough of Ashland, the authority's new operations manager
- Mark A. Smith, Pottsville, the authority's new office manager.
In response to a Right-to-Know request from The Republican-Herald, SCMA Executive Director Patrick M. Caulfield recently provided details on the men's salaries and job descriptions.
Ulceski had worked as chief wastewater operator for the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority from January to December 2013.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife and fishery science from Pennsylvania State University in 1999. He worked as a fish culturist with the New Tilapia Company in Shenandoah from September 2000 to April 2001, then as watershed specialist at Columbia, Montour and Northumberland County conservation districts from April 2001 to December 2003, according to his resume.
Ulceski was a part-time water/wastewater treatment plant operator for American Water Services Inc., Hershey, from March 2001 to March 2008, and he was borough manager for the Borough of Ashland from January 2004 to March 2008, according to his resume.
As operations manager, Ulceski will be responsible for the management and operation of the authority's water and wastewater treatment plants, including staffing, training, maintenance and budgeting to ensure 24-hour service. Ulceski's annual salary will be $70,000.
Smith earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University, Middletown. From 1985 to 2007, Smith worked for Schoeneman Corp. in various positions, according to his resume.
From November 2007 to August 2012, Smith worked as director of finance for Covenant Home Care and Hospice in Reading. He had worked as vice president of finance and administration for Children's Home of York since October 2012.
As office manager, Smith is responsible for the management of all of the authority's administrative functions, including human resources, customer service, general services, administrative services and information services. His salary will be $75,000.
In November and December, the authority stated its intentions to hire an environmental manager. The authority did not hire one at its meeting Tuesday, according to Caulfield.
The terms of two authority board members, Charles M. Dries and Corey M. Holobetz, expired at the end of 2013.
The Schuylkill County Commissioners recently appointed two people to fill those seats: John S. Boyer, who is chairman of the board of directors for the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation; and Roy A. Heim, president of Heim Construction Co., Pottsville.
Board members are volunteers and do not receive stipends, according to Franklin K. Schoeneman, who was named board chairman Tuesday.
At the start of its reorganization meeting Tuesday, the authority appointed board members to the following posts: Schoeneman, board chairman; C.E. Ned Connors, first vice chairman; Frank J. Zukas, second vice chairman; Heim, secretary; John D.W. Reiley, assistant secretary; Boyer, treasurer; Brad J. Petchulis, assistant treasurer; and solicitor, Sudhir Patel.
The authority also reappointed Caulfield to his post as executive director.
In a RTK request submitted to the authority Dec. 18, The Republican-Herald asked for Caulfield's salary over the past five years.
On Jan. 10, Caulfield reported his salary for the following years: 2010, $110,000; 2011, $115,024; 2012, $120,006; 2013, $126,006; and 2014, $126,006.
In other matters at Tuesday's meeting, Schoeneman suggested SCMA embrace 21st century technology by buying computer tablets for authority board members.
"I'm asking that we all consider something that I think is very important. It's being done by some governmental bodies. I know the school board is doing it. I'm a trustee at Bucknell University. We do it there. We do it at the Schuylkill Health System as well. I'm asking that we go to iPad technology. We got to get into the 21st century," Schoeneman said.
By using computer tablets, the authority board members can receive communications, including meeting agendas, more quickly.
"And it might be as close as we'll come to going paperless," Schoeneman said.
"It's much more efficient and we have to change with the times," Caulfield said.
Schoeneman asked for a motion to allow the executive director and Amy S. Batdorf, authority assistant executive director, to research the needs of the authority's board members and recommend a brand of tablet computer to equip them with.
"These would be the property of SCMA but for the full use of the board members during their terms. Therefore there should be no out-of-pocket money for people joining this technology. We figure it's going to be about $500 a unit," Schoeneman said.
The motion was made by Zukas, seconded by Reiley and carried unanimously. Board members present Tuesday included Boyer, Connors and Petchulis.
"I think the cost will be mitigated almost instantly by the man hours saved," Connors said.
"And paper," Batdorf said.
Heim was absent from Tuesday's meeting.