Canonsburg Council Could Hire New Borough Manager Tonight

Canonsburg Council will meet tonight to discuss who will be the borough’s new manager—and possibly take action on the hire.

However, under the Sunshine Law, the borough is required to give public notice within 24 hours of public meetings—something the assistant borough  manager said was not done.

“An agency shall give public notice of each special meeting or each rescheduled regular or special meeting at least 24 hours in advance of the time of the convening of the meeting specified in the notice,” the Sunshine Law reads.

No public notice appeared in the Observer-Reporter newspaper about the meeting. 

“Someone dropped the ball I guess,” borough Solicitor Pat Derrico said Monday when asked about the legality of the meeting.

He added that the meeting was publicized on the borough's website and the electronic sign outside the municipal building.

He said that if council takes action on the personnel matter, the contract may have to be formally ratified at a subsequent meeting to make it official.

Reached Monday morning, council President John Bevec said that he was under the impression that the public notice given at the beginning of the year was sufficient, and that further advertisement was not necessary.

Bevec said that if it is determined that action cannot be taken, the borough will secure the contract with the successful candidate at the meeting tonight, and then ratify the contract when council meets again next month.

A call to the Pennsylvania State Association of Borough's seeking clarification on public notice for meetings was not immediately returned Monday afternoon.

The borough's former manager, Terry Hazlett, retired last month. 

There was no agenda available Monday morning.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. tonight in the borough building. It is open to the public.

Join Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.