(2/20) A Liberty Township supervisor called on the township’s auditors to raise the roadmaster’s hourly wage.
Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Bobby Keilhotlz began February’s meeting by criticizing the auditors for giving the road crew a uniformed 10 percent raise without knowing how much each person made. Roadmaster Walter "Mickey" Barlow’s hourly wage is currently the same as that of his crew. The auditors set Barlow’s pay since he is a supervisor. They also said the pay rate for Keiholtz, who is the assistant roadmaster.
"It has been my experience, throughout my working career, that a foreman, supervisor, or superior is at a higher rate of pay than a regular employee," Keilhotlz said.
Keilhotlz said Barlow is required to hold many more certifications than others on the road crew, including bridge safety and culvert replacement, traffic signs and controls, geosynthetics, paving and preventative maintenance, risk management, cost estimates and mathematical principals, road surface management, roadside vegetation control, winter maintenance, salt and snow, engineering and traffic studies, equipment and workers’ safety, infrastructure management, CPR, Hazmat recognition, and flag training.
Keilhotlz said he did not discuss his remarks with Barlow prior to the meeting.
"This is on me," he said.
Later in the meeting, Board of Auditors Vice Chair Richard Swiat told the supervisors he will discuss the issue with Chair Kathryn Bostek. As of press time, Bostek had not scheduled a meeting to discuss Barlow’s wage.
Barlow also addressed a rumor that claims the supervisors disbanded the township’s board of auditors. Barlow clarified that Pennsylvania law states a board of auditors cannot regularly review township records if the township hires a professional accountant to do the same work. The auditors' only responsibility, Barlow said, is to set salaries for working supervisors.
"I am sorry you got the impression we axed you because that’s not the case," Barlow said.
Police officer hired
A longtime Adams County cop will be patrolling Liberty Township roads. Supervisors unanimously approved adding Officer Don Boehs to the township’s force. Boehs will work part-time and earn $23 per hour, Barlow said.
Boehs moved to Adams County in 2006 when he was hired as chief of the Cumberland Township Police Department. He held that position until February 2022 and currently works full-time for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Boehs also works part-time for the Gettysburg Borough Police Department.
Roadside cleanup
Township Administrative Assistant Hannah Beckett encourages residents to clean up roadside litter. Beckett enrolled the township in PennDOT’s Pick-Up Pennsylvania Program. PennDOT gave the township gloves, safety vests, and trash bags to distribute to volunteers. Beckett said the program will run March 1 to May 31 and anyone needing supplies should visit the township office at 39 Topper Road.
