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Trustees approve new public information director, police officer and community services director amid debate over transition support
Summary
Board approved hiring Brianna Wooten as director of public information and engagement, Scott Johnson as full‑time police officer, and Michael Huxell as community services director; trustees debated a separate motion to keep retiring staffer Barb Wilson on part time at $54.86/hour for up to nine months.
West Chester Township trustees on Feb. 11 approved three full‑time hires and debated a fourth item to retain a retiring long‑time employee in a part‑time transition role.
The board approved the hiring of Brianna (Brianna/Brianne spelled in transcript) Wooten as director of public information and engagement effective Feb. 24 at a biweekly rate reported as $4,230.77; Scott Johnson as a full‑time police officer (biweekly rate $3,500.13) effective Feb. 24; and Michael Huxell as community services director (biweekly rate $4,423.07) effective Feb. 24. Trustees voted to approve items 2–4 together by roll call; the vote recorded all trustees present voting yes.
Separately, trustees debated Item 1: a request to hire Barbara “Barb” Wilson to a part‑time assistant position in public information and engagement effective Feb. 24 at $54.86 per hour, with a stated minimum of 40 hours per month and board comments saying the intent was for a transitional period that could last several months and taper over time. Proponents said Wilson’s institutional knowledge would help onboard the new director and provide continuity on large projects — trustees named the Clock Tower Square remodel and the safety services center entrance as examples, projects staff estimated at a combined $5 million that Wilson has been helping manage.
A dissenting trustee called a nine‑month transition “not acceptable” and argued one or two months would be sufficient. Staff clarified the position was intended to relieve the new director of routine operational tasks while she focuses on higher‑level responsibilities; staff said the initial hours could be heavier and then taper. After additional discussion, the board modified the original motion to consider Item 1 separately and then voted on it: the recorded roll call for Item 1 showed two trustees voting yes and one trustee voting no, resulting in approval by the recorded majority.
Trustees swore in Officer Scott Johnson during the meeting; the oath was administered and repeated in full on the record.
