Council approves multiple hires: two heavy equipment operators, new crew chief and municipal relations assistant

Northampton Borough Council approved several personnel actions on Sept. 2 following the hiring committee’s recommendations.

Borough manager Brian Wasco, assistant borough manager Jerry Sorensen and public works supervisor Rich Ackerman recommended Joseph Weber and Aaron Bortz to fill heavy equipment operator positions after a process that included written and skills tests and interviews. Council approved the hires; the recommendation listed an effective date of Sept. 5, 2025. Council members noted the candidates were not present at the meeting.

During the same hiring process the committee recommended Robert Smale be appointed crew chief for public works, also effective Sept. 5, 2025; council approved that appointment.

Separately, the hiring committee recommended and council approved the hiring of Jacob Kutzler as municipal relations assistant with a start date of Sept. 22, 2025. The motion to hire Kutzler was recorded with a second and the motion carried by voice vote; one council member recorded an abstention in the roll of votes recorded in the meeting.

Council members and staff praised the candidates and thanked the hiring committee for a “rigorous testing process.” No changes to salary or contract terms were discussed in the meeting record; effective dates and the committee’s selection criteria were stated in the hiring presentation.